After repeated threats by Thai officials, the government yesterday declared a state of emergency in response to spiraling political violence in recent months. Clashes between pro- and anti-government forces, in addition to at least 4 grenade attacks on protesters by unknown assailants, have killed dozens since November, prompting authorities to enforce a crackdown and assume powers to impose curfews, (further) censor the media, dissolve gatherings of any kind and use military force against protesters.
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| Anti-government protesters gather in Bangkok. Jan. 5, 2014 (VOA) |
The recent protests began back in November, when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s party pushed a controversial amnesty bill that would have shielded her older brother and military-ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra from past corruption charges, which would have allowed him to return to Thailand from exile without serving jail time. Although the legislation was ultimately scrapped following massive public outcry, the issue has reenergized anti-government sentiment in a country where the thin veil of democracy is constantly at odds with state-sponsored terrorism and repression.
