As anti-government protests were peaking, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva invoked emergency rule, banned  protestors TV channels, clamped restrictions on public gatherings and  gave sweeping  powers to the police and military to deal with the situation in Bangkok andadjoining areas.

In  a nationally televised news conference, Prime Minister defended his move and said: ‘The state of emergency aims to resolve the situation and bring a return to normal’.

He  termed the mass rallies as unconstitutional and said such demonstations tarnished the country’s image and eroded investor confidence.

Political turmoul however continues and shows no signs of abating with protestors leaders asserting that they would not move even if the army confronted them.