Thailand declares state of emergency granting gov’t broad powers

Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-o-cha speaks Tuesday.
Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-o-cha speaks Tuesday.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha said Tuesday his government has declared a state of emergency that grants it sweeping powers to enact curfews, limit travel and censor the media.

Addressing the nation and speaking through an ill-fitting mask, Gen. Prayuth said further details of the Emergency Decree would be announced later today. It would be in effect Thursday through the end of April.

He said no curfew or travel ban has been announced yet. For social media such as Twitter and Facebook, Prayuth also urged the public to “be mindful” using it.

We’re removing our paywall for coronavirus coverage

Prayuth asked people to quarantine themselves at home and not travel to their hometowns in other provinces.

The retired general who seized power in 2014 before becoming prime minister after last year’s election cited the 2005 Emergency Decree in announcing the move, but it was unclear as of Tuesday afternoon which of its sections would be used to address the current COVID-19 crisis.

The announcement comes amid swelling frustration with his government’s handling of the crisis, particularly online, where unprecedented expressions of anger have reached the highest levels of power.

Thailand on Tuesday reported new 106 COVID-19 cases and three deaths, bringing the total to four deaths since January and 827 cases, 766 of which remain hospitalized.

Related:

Masks mandatory for all Bangkok rail passengers: Transport Ministry
3 Thai men die of COVID-19, 106 new cases announced



Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Power corrupts.
    Total power corrupts totally.
    A sad state of affairs in the LOS.
    The rich will get richer.
    The fat cats fatter.
    And the poor people get nothing and die…
    Disgust with the removal of the 1000 baht poor people payments.
    Some countries are actually contributing to the salary of people who can’t work.

Leave A Reply


BECOME A COCO+ MEMBER

Support local news and join a community of like-minded
“Coconauts” across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Join Now
Coconuts TV
Our latest and greatest original videos
Subscribe on