BANGKOK, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Thailand lifted a state of emergency in the northeast Friday but kept it in force in four central provinces, including the capital, the government announced.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva signed an order to lift the emergency decree in the last three northeastern provinces -- Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Nakhon Ratchasima, the Bangkok Post reported.
But the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation met Friday and decided to keep special powers in effect in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani, spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd told the Post.
He said all security agencies had been ordered to go on full alert through October for possible acts of violence.
Sansern said a rally planned by the opposition United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, known as the Red Shirts, at the Royal Plaza Oct 7 would violate the emergency decree.
Abhisit's spokesman, Thepthai Senpong, said the emergency decree was still needed in Bangkok to prevent sinister groups from inciting violence.
He was responding to the call by a Senate committee for the government to lift the emergency in all provinces without conditions.
