Thailand: officials extend state of emergency

Thailand: officials extend state of emergency

The state of emergency was first imposed in July last year, and must be renewed every three months. Emergency rule allows the government to impose curfews, prohibit public gatherings, censor and ban publications, detain suspects without charge, confiscate property and tap telephones.

More than 1,500 people have died since January 2004 in sectarian violence that the government blames on Islamic separatists in the Muslim-majority provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani, according to the AP.