State of emergency imposed to prevent violence: Thai DM

BANGKOK, April 8 (Xinhua) -- The state of emergency, which has been imposed from Wednesday evening, is aimed to prevent violence from occurring amid the ongoing anti-government rally by the "red- shirts," Thai Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said Thursday.

General Prawit's statement was made prior to chairing a function to mark the 123rd anniversary of the country's Defense Ministry, Thai News Agency reported.

However, additional explanation concerning the enforcement of the state of emergency will be made to the public by the government, the defense minister said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has declared a state of emergency in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, and some districts in provinces of Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, and Ayutthaya.

The "red-shirt" core leaders announced Wednesday evening they will continue the mass protest in the capital of Bangkok though the prime minister has declared the state of emergency.

Ten of thousands of the "red-shirts" led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) group have converged in Bangkok since March 12 to press Prime Minister Abhisit to dissolve the House and call a new general election.

The red-shirts' main rally site is now at the Phan Fah Bridge and Rathchaprasong Intersection in the center of Bangkok.