Thailand lifts emergency rule in three provinces

Thailand keeps controversial security law in Bangkok, surrounding provinces.

Bangkok: Thailand lifted a state of emergency in three provinces on Friday but kept the controversial security law in Bangkok and surrounding provinces where the government said the situation remained volatile.

"The government will extend it in Bangkok and metropolitan provinces given the risk of instability," said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.

Emergency rule has been in place since April, giving security forces broad power to deal with anti-government protests that spiralled into political violence that killed 91 people and wounded nearly 2,000 over April and May.

The government has lifted the special law in all areas, except for Bangkok and three surrounding provinces.

Bureau Report