Royal Thai Embassy 
On 7 April 2010, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva appeared on television to inform the public of the Cabinet?s decision to declare a severe emergency situation.
At the outset, the Prime Minister noted that since the demonstrations by a group of persons began on 12 March 2010, the Government has been trying to manage the situation by implementing measures under the Internal Security Act (ISA) with a view to preventing, deterring, and mitigating situations which may affect internal security. However, such measures have not been able to prevent or mitigate the situation, while demonstrations by this group of persons have escalated to include unlawful actions which are beyond the limit of the Constitution, causing serious disruption to the daily life of the general public and causing severe economic and social impact as well as affecting the image and confidence of the country in the eye of the international community. Despite the authorities? best efforts to enforce the law, there have been resistance and more illegal actions taken. Particularly during the past two days, there have been acts of defiance against security officers and incursion into an important official building, namely the Parliament.
In this regard, on the afternoon of 7 April, Prime Minister Abhisit said that he called a special Cabinet meeting, which then decided to declare a severe emergency situation in Bangkok, its vicinities and nearby provinces and to use the authority under the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations B.E. 2548 (2005) in issuing regulations for the administration of the situation as well as to set up a Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban as the Authorised Supervising Official, Chief Official and Director of the CRES.
The Government intends to employ tools available under the law in resolving the current situation with four major objectives, namely: to restore normalcy in the various areas in Bangkok; to prevent and halt the dissemination and distortion of information aimed at instigating division and inciting further illegal acts; to enable officials to take legal actions against protest leaders, which will be proceeded in accordance with due legal process; and to ensure that measures to prevent disturbances be carried out in a more effective manner.
Prime Minister Abhisit emphasised that the use of the Emergency Decree is intended to enable the Government to carry out the afore-mentioned tasks more efficiently. There is no intention of using the law to suppress or harm people, particularly innocent ones. The Government?s aim is to restore normalcy and ensure the sanctity of the law, and all actions that will be taken will be in accordance with the law and international standards. Noting that the situation caused by the acts of one group of persons has put in jeopardy the interest of the country and must be resolved, the Prime Minister asks for the public?s understanding that actions which violate the law, harm public peace or cause economic and social impact would eventually affect all Thai people, including the demonstrators. He also asked that people refrain from joining such unlawful demonstrations and that those who have relatives or friends participating in these rallies help explain to them about the legitimate exercise of their constitutional rights. The Prime Minister looks forward to the cooperation from the public.
In declaring the severe emergency situation, certain regulations and directives have been issued in accordance with the relevant law. It must be emphasised that in general the measures taken under these regulations and directives do not affect the normal way of life of people or their activities, nor do they affect foreigners residing in or visiting Thailand.
For tourists visiting the Kingdom, they are advised to be vigilant, particularly in areas where demonstrations are held. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has a 24-hour English language hotline at 1672, from which tourists may inquire for further information. The tourist police can also be reached at 1155.
In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a 24-hour operation centre, which can provide foreigners with further information at +662-575-1023