Bangkok remains in a state of emergency, under nighttime curfew through the weekend
After a two-month confrontation between the Thai government and ‘Red Shirt’ government protesters, leaving at least 84 dead, it appears that the worst of the violence in Bangkok has been quelled. In an emotional televised address on Friday, Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva claimed that order in his country has been restored. “We will continue to move swiftly to restore normalcy and we recognize that as we move ahead there are huge challenges,” he said. “Let me reassure you that the government will meet those challenges.” The prime minister did not mention whether he will call an election, although earlier this month he offered to hold elections on Nov. 14, which Red Shirt leaders seemed to support before fresh demands collapsed a possible deal. Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij suggested that elections could still be held at that time, and said Friday: “Our term ends in 2012. It is, in my opinion, highly unlikely that the government will choose to stay for the full term.”