Royal Thai Embassy 
On 19 May 2010 at 22.10 hrs., Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva address the Thai public regarding what had transpired over the course of the day.
The Prime Minister recalled that over the past few days, after the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) resolved to tighten the cordon around the protest area at Ratchaprasong Intersection, their operations had been received with violent reactions from the protesters, particularly the armed elements among them, leading to arsons and road closures by protesters at a number of locations in Bangkok. In this regard, the objective of the Government in deciding to undertake operations on 19 May was to tighten the cordon further with a view to having the protests end as soon as possible. With operations starting from early morning till noon, by the afternoon, the protest leaders had decided to call upon the protesters to end their demonstrations and to turn themselves in to the police. As a consequence, activities on their stage ceased and the officers have since been working to facilitate the remaining protesters? return home, as well as to clear various areas, during which they found a large number of weapons.
Be that as it may, Prime Minister Abhisit noted that the end of the protests had caused dissatisfaction among certain groups of demonstrators. The armed and violence-prone elements among them have continued to instigate disturbances by, among other things, torching some buildings on fire. The officers concerned have been working hard to resolve and prevent such incidents. While they had been able to put down most fire and help people to safety in some locations, they still faced difficulties in others, being obstructed by those using weapons against them. In this connection, the Prime Minister said that the authorities would continue to do their best to control, mitigate and prevent such incidents, and help affected people.
Given the need to enable officers to carry out their duties more efficiently, Prime Minister Abhisit said that it was necessary for the Government to institute a curfew. While recognising that the measure might affect the general public, and that some regulations earlier issued might have restricted some of their rights, he noted that this was necessary and requested their cooperation in complying with the CRES? regulations, as the officers were working to deal with the situation, both in Bangkok and other provinces. He also asked the public, where they could, to help inform the authorities through the CRES? hotline, of any information which might be useful for the latter in carrying out their duties more efficiently, particularly over the night.
Affirming that the officers would do their utmost to provide security, the Prime Minister said that the police in each locality had been instructed to remain alert and step up their monitoring and safeguarding of areas which might be targeted by the armed groups, as well as to integrate their efforts with other agencies in case they faced difficulties in conducting their work. Meanwhile, with regard to the Ratchaprasong area, where a number of protesters remain, the authorities have prepared a plan to facilitate their safe and expeditious passage home by 20 May 2010.
Prime Minister Abhisit stressed that the Government?s objective was to restore peace and normalcy to society. Those violating the law, particularly by committing arsons, and having connection with terrorist acts would be subject to severe punishment in accordance with the law. He reassured the public that he himself, the Government and the officers were determined and confident that it would be able to overcome the present situation and bring the country back to peace and normalcy, leading to a process of sustainable rehabilitation.
******************************
19 May 2010