Bangkok, Dec 2 (IANS): A curfew has been declared effective from 10 p.m. Sunday until 5 a.m. Monday throughout the Thai capital city and its outlying areas as political tension sparked by anti-government protests keeps growing.

Deputy Premier Pracha Promnok, who currently heads the government's Centre for Administration of Peace and Order, announced that the public are suggested not to go out on the Bangkok streets and the capital's outlying areas during the curfew period, Xinhua reported.

He said the curfew has been imposed for the safety of the public as the situation surrounding the massive anti-government protests intensifies.

Street unrests were feared to occur early Monday as riot police and rapid deployment units were about to clear the government premises of all the occupying protesters.

The deputy premier, who is in charge of national security, reassured the public that the government is capable of controlling the situation.

In sporadic overnight clashes between the anti-government protesters and Red shirts who were rallying in support of the government in suburban Bangkok, at least four people were killed and 57 other injured, according to the latest reports.

As for the call made by protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban for a nationwide strike Monday, Pracha commented that the former Democrat Party MP had no authority to call for work stoppages.

He said Suthep could be charged with treason for making such a call and leading the rallies that laid siege to government officials.

On Sunday, which Suthep claimed to be the day of victory, protesters marched in multiple processions to destinations such as the interior ministry, the labour ministry and a couple of TV stations.

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Is it a full curfew? I thought it was just an advice to stay indoors in areas with demos.

Are Silom Soi 2 and 4 really closing at 10pm?

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Everything is completely normal.

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Thank goodness! It just wouldn't be the same unless the red and yellow shirts were kicking the shit out of each other, closing shopping malls and offices and claiming to be the true patriots.

Can't wait to get back from my brief trip to Oz to join in all the fun.

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The caretaker Pheu Thai Party government today (January 19) broadcast video which, it said, showed the explosive device being dropped in the road by a man who was walking in the march, and who then walked smartly away before it exploded.

Police say they are seeking two men, one of whom they believe they have identified from the video as being an aide to a former Democrat MP.

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SOE=State of Emergency has been declared for BKK and surrounds since today. As for NOW-there is NO curfew.
Seems to be (positively thinking) mainly aimed at more control for idiots carrying weapons etc. But then police in general is nowhere to be seen and certainly not around mob-sites. Was in Sukh. last nite-massage shop and they all complained about less customers.

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