BANGKOK, July 23 — Thailand’s Emergency Decree currently imposed in 16 provinces will be gradually lifted with possible revocation in some provinces next week, according to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Mr Abhisit said the government shared a common view with former prime minister and National Reform Committee chairman Anand Panyarachun that the emergency decree should be lifted at all provinces as enforcement of the security law will negatively affect the national reconciliation process.

However, he said, the process must be done by steps and next week the law would be lifted in some provinces. He could not say which provinces, but the lifting did not need a Cabinet resolution.

If the security-concerned agencies reported that the situation was normal, he could exercise his authority to lift the law’s imposition, said the premier.

MCOT