Thai Cabinet revokes emergency decree, approves bail for 104 opposition Red supporters

BANGKOK - The Thai cabinet on Tuesday decided to revoke the emergency decree, set up a new situation monitoring centre and allow Rights and Liberties Department officials to seek the release on bail of 104 red shirts detained for minor offences.

The Bangkok Post quoted acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn, as saying that the revocation of the emergency decree, being enforced in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan, will take effect from Wednesday.

The emergency decree will be replaced by the Internal Security Act (ISA), he said.

The cabinet was in agreement that the situation has considerably improved, officials responsible for maintaining peace and order have become more effective in performing their duties, and that the people do not condone violence, he said.

Security agencies were confident they would be able to keep the situation under control without the emergency decree.

A plan has been agreed on to cope with any change in the situation, he said.

The spokesman said that the Tnternal Security Operations Command (Isoc) will set up a situation monitoring centre in every province to coordinate the 14 security agencies, including the National Security Council (NSC) and Royal Thai Police Office.

The centre will be supervised by army chief-of-staff Gen Daopong Rattanasuwan.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon had been appointed acting director of the Isoc.

A budget of 130 milion to 150 million baht will be provided for the operations of the Isoc and the situation monitoring centre, Panitan said. (ANI)