Govt extends Songkran holiday

[Admin]

Govt extends Songkran holiday
By: BangkokPost.com
Published: 14/04/2009 at 02:58 PM

The government on Tuesday announced the extension of the three-day Songkran holiday for civil servants for two more days, Thursday and Friday.

Government spokesman Panithan Wattanayagorn said state enterprises, financial institutions and private firms could make their own decisions whether to extend the holiday beyond Wednesday night.

The extension would allow time to repair and clean up areas where the red-shirt  protesters rioted and confronted troops, and to ensure the capital was again secure,  he said.

The stock exchange announced only minutes after the national broadcast that the Stock Exchange of Thailand and banks woud be open on Thursday and Friday.

Protest leaders called off their demonstrationin Bangkok this morning, telling the estimated 2,000 followers who remained with them to return to their homes.

However, the state of emergency was unlikely to be lifted quickly.

Mr Panithan said the government needed to evaluate the security situation before lifting the emergency decree.

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said it could be a few more days.

Meanwhile, Bangkok slowly returned to normal  the red-shirted mob surrounding government house ended its anti-government protest.

Young young people ventured out onto the streets again for traditional Songkran water-splashing and trains resumed normal services from Hua Lamphong central terminus.

City buses were also back on the roads, but some were being detoured around streets still littered with debris from Monday's rioting.

Malls around the Siam area in Bangkok reopened on Tuesday afternoon. Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery opened for business about 1pm after being closed for almost three days because the unrest in the capital city.

Management said it continued to evaluate the situation and would close the malls again if any emergencies arise.

[pbee]

Congratulations to the police and military for returning the capital to normality.I think they handled the very difficult and potentially dangerous situation very well.Also the protest leaders who backed off when it was obvious people were going to get hurt.For the policeman or soldier confronted by a large group of protesters it can be scary indeed.The discipline to remain calm and not to be provoked is hard to endure.Military hardware verses civilians protesters or not,is used to much in this world.
Whatever the political outcome is it must be reached peacefully. Unfortunately two people died and many injured,it could have been a lot worse. This is not just Thailand's problem,in the UK we had protests against the G20 lasting two days in London.One innocent bystander died,the police are under investigation, and more were wounded. I believe the Thai people will resolve their problems peacefully.It just takes time.Will return to Thailand soon,and plan to retire there later,will not be put off by news reports. Enjoy your extended songkran.