To cope with increasingly violent protests, the government has imposed a 60-day state of emergency, locking down the capital and neighbouring provinces. Police can arrest without formal charges, whilst the government can censor the press and ban public gatherings.

Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) - In an attempt to stop protests in the capital that have been getting increasingly violent in recent days, the Thai government has declared a 60-day state of emergency starting tomorrow, 22 January.

Adopted by the cabinet this morning, the decree gives the government the power to censor the press and prohibit public gatherings. Under its provisions, police can detain anyone without charges in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces. For now, the rest of the country is exempt.

For weeks, more and more opposition-led protesters have been calling on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to resign.

According to demonstrators, exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is the current prime minister's brother, is the real power behind the existing government, "ruling in absentia" as it were.

Instead of resigning, Prime Minister Shinawatra called for fresh elections on 2 February. However, the step was not enough for her opponents, who continue to demonstrate, increasing the dangers of violent spill over.

In fact, on Sunday, at least 28 people were injured when police fired tear gas to disperse yet another anti-government demonstration.

In announcing the decree imposing the state of emergency, Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said, "The cabinet decided to invoke the emergency decree to take care of the situation and enforce the law".

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