Thai PM declares state of emergency in Bangkok, nearby provinces

He has assigned Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban to head the committee that handles the emergency situation, Ahbisit said, without disclosing how long the emergency decree will last.

The emergency decree takes effect immediately in and around Bangkok as well as the nearby provinces of Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom and Ayutthaya, he said.

Appearing on national television with members of the government 's Center for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), the Prime Minister said there are four reasons to declare a state of emergency: first is to restore normalcy; second, to stop the spreading of distorted information, which has led to social divisiveness; third, to conduct the legal procedure against the " red-shirts" leaders; forth, to stop the crimes and violence; Kazinform cites Xinhua.