Bangkok emergency measures lifted with hope of quelling the crisis
Updated 14:03, 22-Oct-2020
CGTN
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha sits in his office at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, October 21, 2020. /AP

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha sits in his office at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, October 21, 2020. /AP

Thailand lifted emergency measures in Bangkok on Thursday and the court released a demonstration leader after considering that the severity of her charge is low.

"The current violent situation that led to the announcement of the severe situation has eased and ended to a situation in which government officials and state agencies can enforce the regular laws," the statement published in the official Royal Gazette said.

The measures were imposed last week to stop protests that have lasted for three months. But it ended up prompting larger demonstrations by tens of thousands of people marching on Government House, repeating their demand for the prime minister to resign and the parliament to reform.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said he may lift the emergency measures, which is one of the demands from the protesters, to halt months of pro-democracy protests in a speech televised Wednesday evening. Prayuth offered a concession to protesters, saying he would promptly lift the state of emergency he declared in Bangkok last week "if there are no violent incidents."

Meanwhile, one of Thailand's protest leaders, Patsaravalee "Mind" Tanakitvibulpon, was released on Thursday after being arrested a day earlier on charges related to emergency measures imposed last week.

Patsaravalee, 25, told reporters after being freed that the court had deemed the charges were not serious and that she still needed to attend classes and exams, so bail was granted without having to submit any guarantees.

(With input from agencies)