Thailand Lifts Bangkok Emergency as Protesters Set Ultimatum
- Prayuth cites ‘de-escalation’ in situation to lift protest ban
- Protesters set three-day deadline for premier to resign
Photographer: Getty Images
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Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha ordered the withdrawal of the week-old state of emergency in the nation’s capital that barred large gatherings, in a bid to pacify pro-democracy protesters calling for the resignation of his government and monarchy reform.
The move follows a de-escalation in the situation that allows authorities to use existing laws to manage protests, according to a notification signed by Prayuth in the Royal Gazette. While the main organizers didn’t stage formal rallies on Thursday, hundreds of protesters gathered in several locations across Thailand.