State of emergency at airports
2008-11-27 18:33
Bangkok - A Cabinet minister says Thailand's government will impose a state of emergency around Bangkok's two airports.
Agriculture Minister Somsak Prisananantakul says the decision was made at a special Cabinet meeting on Thursday.
He says emergency laws will apply to areas around the main international Suvarnabhumi airport and the domestic Don Muang airport.
An emergency decree gives the military the right to restore order, allows the suspension of civil liberties, bans public gatherings of more than five people and bars the media from reporting news that causes panic.
Thousands of anti-government protesters are occupying the terminals of both airports, forcing the cancellation of all flights in and out of the capital.
- AP