April 8 (Bloomberg) -- Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, was placed under martial law as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva sought to prevent weeks of anti-government protests turning violent after demonstrators stormed parliament.
“The nation has been severely affected by the protests and the government needs to rectify the situation,” Abhisit said in a televised address yesterday. “The law doesn’t mean we aim to crack down or hurt people, especially innocent people.”
The emergency decree bans gatherings of more than five people, allows detention without charge and gives soldiers immunity from prosecution.
As many as 3,000 people occupied Parliament for about two hours after breaking through gates to the compound yesterday. Thousands more demonstrators, many loyal to exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, occupied Bangkok’s commercial district for a fifth day to demand immediate elections.
Abhisit, who has been living in an army barracks, said protesters breached the constitution and declared the demonstration illegal. The state of emergency will also prevent misinformation and help stop sporadic grenade attacks that have hit the capital over the past month, he said.
Army Chief Anupong Paojinda enforced orders from Abhisit a year ago to break up rallies by the same group that turned violent, something he may be reluctant to do this time.

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