BANGKOK, 23 January 2014 Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Towichakchaikul on Wednesday explained the reasoning behind the enforcement of the Emergency Executive Decree in Bangkok, saying the law would facilitate efforts to contain the situation and prevent it from becoming violent. He added the law would also help with progress in bringing perpetrators of recent attacks against protesters to justice.
Mr. Surapong also said the US State Department had expressed concern over the situation in Thailand and vouched to support democratic processes and the use of negotiations to resolve political conflicts.
Information and Communications Technology Minister Anudit Nakhonthap said on Wednesday that people could go about their business their as usual during the enforcement of the emergency law. However, they would need to provide collaboration to officials at vehicle checkpoints. People are also asked to refrain from assembling and from engaging in political demonstrations that were in violation with the law.
