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Thai army chief appeals for calm as violence increases

Government is assessing whether to declare a state of emergency: PM

Published Mon, Jan 20, 2014 · 10:00 PM

[BANGKOK] Thailand's army chief yesterday called for calm after a series of attacks on anti-government rallies in recent days injured some 70 people, prompting authorities to consider declaring a state of emergency for the first time since 2010.

Two grenades exploded at a demonstration site in central Bangkok on Sunday, injuring 28, and a grenade attack on a protest rally on Jan 17 killed one person and wounded 40 others, according to the Bangkok Emergency Medical Centre.

Violence is increasing as Suthep Thaugsuban, a former opposition party lawmaker, steps up efforts to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra before elections scheduled for Feb 2.

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