Thailand bans assembly of more than five people: state radio

Comments | AFP, September, 2008

BANGKOK (AFP) — Thailand on Tuesday banned gatherings of more than five people in Bangkok, state radio announced, under an emergency decree invoked after clashes between protesters in the capital left one dead.

The announcement said that the emergency decree gave the army chief, General Anupong Paojinda, power to break up any gathering and to force people to leave any location.

"By invoking this emergency decree, Anupong can ban people from entering any specific place and can evacuate people from any specific place," the announcement said.

Embattled Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who has faced mounting calls for his resignation, appointed Anupong as chief of a special team tasked with enforcing the emergency decree.

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