Thailand extends emergency rule in Bangkok

Bangkok: The Thai government announced on Tuesday it is extending a state of emergency in 19 provinces, including Bangkok, because of lingering fears of unrest, while revoking the laws in some other areas.

"The cabinet endorsed the lifting of the state of emergency in five provinces," deputy government spokesman Supachai Jaismut told AFP. "Emergency rule will still be imposed in the rest."

The government invoked emergency rule on April 7 after mass opposition protests, banning public gatherings of more than five people and giving security forces the right to detain suspects for 30 days without charge.