> Thailand bans assembly of more than five people: state radio
> 1 hour ago
>
> BANGKOK (AFP) — Thailand on Tuesday banned gatherings of more than
> five people in Bangkok, state radio announced, under an emergency
> decree invoked after clashes between protesters in the capital left
> one dead.
>
> The announcement said that the emergency decree gave the army chief,
> General Anupong Paojinda, power to break up any gathering and to force
> people to leave any location.
>
> "By invoking this emergency decree, Anupong can ban people from
> entering any specific place and can evacuate people from any specific
> place," the announcement said.
>
> Embattled Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who has faced mounting
> calls for his resignation, appointed Anupong as chief of a special
> team tasked with enforcing the emergency decree.
>
> Thai police called in army reinforcements early Tuesday as thousands
> of pro-and anti-government protesters clashed in the capital, leaving
> one dead and dozens injured, officials and local media said.
>
> Thai television showed protesters wearing helmets and carrying batons
> running though the streets, fighting with each other and throwing
> rocks, as people lay bleeding on the street.
>
> The violence took place not far from the site where about 15,000
> demonstrators have been besieging the main government compound for a
> week, demanding that Samak step down.
>
> dkj