国际英语新闻：Thai PM declares state of emergency in Bangkok, nearby provinces

BANGKOK, April 7 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and some areas of the nearby five provinces in a live TV address at about 6:00 p. m. Wednesday to deal with the ongoing anti-government rally by the "red-shirts".

He has assigned Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban to head the committee that handles the emergency situation, Ahbisit said, without disclosing how long the emergency decree will last.

The emergency decree takes effect immediately in and around Bangkok as well as the nearby provinces of Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom and Ayutthaya, he said.

This TV grab taken on April 7, 2010 shows Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva talks to public in Bangkok, capital of Thailand. Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and some areas of the nearby five provinces in a live TV address on Wednesday to deal with the ongoing anti-government rally by the "red-shirts".

Appearing on national television with members of the government 's Center for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), the Prime Minister said there are four reasons to declare a state of emergency: first is to restore normalcy; second, to stop the spreading of distorted information, which has led to social divisiveness; third, to conduct the legal procedure against the " red-shirts" leaders; forth, to stop the crimes and violence.

The emergency law is the tool for the government to improve efficiency when handling the current situation, he said.