The state of emergency will affect Bangkok and the provinces ofNonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan from October 5, saidgovernment spokesman Suphachai Jaismut.
The decree,which was introduced in the capital in early April in response to massanti-government rallies by the "Red Shirt" movement, bans publicgatherings of more than five people and gives security forces the rightto detain suspects for up to 30 days without charge./.