Anti-government protesters on April 7 broke into the Thai parliamentary compound, forcing the Cabinet and lawmakers to cancel their sessions.
Hundreds of “red-shirted” protesters, led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) broke through security lines and entered the compound en masse.
Earlier, some 5,000 “red-shirts” surrounded the parliamentary compound and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chai Chidchob, announced the cancellation of its meeting.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his ministers were forced to adjourn their meeting half-way through.
Thailand’s Cabinet decided to extend the Internal Security Act (ISA) by two weeks when the protesters refused to leave Bangkok's most crowded commercial district of Ratchaprasong, where they have been for five days and even threatened to demonstrate at PM Abhisit’s residence.
The government spokesman, Supachai Jaisamut, said the authorities were ready to use emergency law if the situation worsens.
More than 1,000 security forces and tens of police cars were deployed at the parliamentary headquarters to maintain law and order.
PM Abhisit also cancelled a planned trip to the United States for a nuclear security summit next week due to the unrest.
This was the latest move in the multi-week demonstration initiated by the “red-shirts”, demanding PM Abhisit dissolve the parliament and hold early general elections./.
Hundreds of “red-shirted” protesters, led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) broke through security lines and entered the compound en masse.
Earlier, some 5,000 “red-shirts” surrounded the parliamentary compound and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chai Chidchob, announced the cancellation of its meeting.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his ministers were forced to adjourn their meeting half-way through.
Thailand’s Cabinet decided to extend the Internal Security Act (ISA) by two weeks when the protesters refused to leave Bangkok's most crowded commercial district of Ratchaprasong, where they have been for five days and even threatened to demonstrate at PM Abhisit’s residence.
The government spokesman, Supachai Jaisamut, said the authorities were ready to use emergency law if the situation worsens.
More than 1,000 security forces and tens of police cars were deployed at the parliamentary headquarters to maintain law and order.
PM Abhisit also cancelled a planned trip to the United States for a nuclear security summit next week due to the unrest.
This was the latest move in the multi-week demonstration initiated by the “red-shirts”, demanding PM Abhisit dissolve the parliament and hold early general elections./.
