Thai PM lifts curfew in Bangkok, 23 provinces

BANGKOK — Thailand’s prime minister lifted a nighttime curfew in Bangkok and other areas on Saturday, saying that order has been restored 10 days after violence killed more than a dozen people and left parts of the capital in flames, an aide said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will not extend the curfew in Bangkok and 23 provinces, aide Sirichoke Sopha said.

Sirichoke said there were no more fears of immediate flare-ups from the “Red Shirt” protesters who occupied the heart of Bangkok for weeks in demonstrations that ended May 19 in a military crackdown.

Concerns have also been raised about the economic impact of the curfew on local businesses.

The curfew was imposed after the crackdown dispersed thousands of the anti-government protesters from their barricaded camp in one of Bangkok’s most upscale shopping and tourist districts.

Taragana