Coup orchestrator General Sonthi Boonyaratglin has asked Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to impose a state of emergency in Bangkok to combat growing public opposition to the military-imposed government. The general's request preceeds planned rallies by both pro-democracy groups and supporters of the ousted Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. Sonthi said he was the rallies could lead to insecurity, which he said could hurt foreign investment, tourism and city construction projects. The declaration of a state of emergency would give the authorities the power to ban public gatherings, impose curfews and censor local news reports, and would contain some of the elements of martial law. The Thaksin supporters are planning a demonstration Friday, while a coalition of pro-democracy groups plan to begin a weeklong protest at Sanam Luang next week.
IHT