Seven-hour curfew imposed in Bangkok

, Dec 2: A curfew has been declared effective from 10 p.m. Sunday until 5 a.m. Monday throughout the Thai capital city and its outlying areas as political tension sparked by anti-government protests keeps growing.

Deputy Premier Pracha Promnok, who currently heads the government's Centre for Administration of Peace and Order, announced that the public are suggested not to go out on the Bangkok streets and the capital's outlying areas during the curfew period, Xinhua reported.

He said the curfew has been imposed for the safety of the public as the situation surrounding the massive anti-government protests intensifies.

Street unrests were feared to occur early Monday as riot police and rapid deployment units were about to clear the government premises of all the occupying protesters.

The deputy premier, who is in charge of national security, reassured the public that the government is capable of controlling the situation.

In sporadic overnight clashes between the anti-government protesters and Red shirts who were rallying in support of the government in suburban Bangkok, at least four people were killed and 57 other injured, according to the latest reports.

As for the call made by protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban for a nationwide strike Monday, Pracha commented that the former Democrat Party MP had no authority to call for work stoppages.

He said Suthep could be charged with treason for making such a call and leading the rallies that laid siege to government officials.

On Sunday, which Suthep claimed to be the day of victory, protesters marched in multiple processions to destinations such as the interior ministry, the labour ministry and a couple of TV stations.

IANS