Bangkok — The embattled government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra declared the imposition of emergency rule in Bangkok and surrounding areas on Tuesday, suggesting a more aggressive posture toward antigovernment protesters who have occupied parts of the city during the past two months and are seeking to overthrow the government.
But officials said they had no plans to crack down on protesters, who have escalated their campaign over the past week by blocking government offices, taking over major intersections and staging daily marches across Bangkok. And at least so far, the government has taken no steps to impose curfews, censor the news media or disperse gatherings, as allowed under the emergency decree.
The decree also allows the government to use “military force” to “secure order.”
Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Thailand’s foreign minister, said the move was necessary because protesters had broken the law by blocking government offices and banks in recent days and threatening and harassing government officials. The imposition of the decree will “allow the democratic process and Thailand to move forward,” he said.
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