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Thai prime minister declares state of emergency

02/09/2008

Thailand's prime minister Samak Sundaravej has declared a state of emergency after clashes in the capital Bangkok left at least one person dead.

Riot police, pro and anti-government protestors all clashed on Monday night leading to the fatality and dozens more injured.

As a result, Mr Samak handed the military control of public order in Bangkok today as well as suspending a number of civil liberties.

Under the emergency powers, announced on television and radio, all public gathering in the capital have been banned and media restrictions have been imposed to prevent any reports undermining "public security".

"There is an urgent need to solve all these problems quickly. Therefore the prime minister declares a state of emergency in Bangkok from now on," the announcement declared.

On Monday night, around 400 soldiers were sent to back up police tackling the street violence.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) had been camped outside the prime minister's offices for over a week protesting that the government is a front for the exiled prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.

There was further bad news for Mr Samak's government today with the country's election commission voting to recommend the supreme court disband his People Power party (PPP) due to election fraud.