Thai government will impose a curfew in parts of Bangkok starting on Sunday evening, a government source said.
"The curfew would be imposed on areas which lead to the main protest site starting Sunday evening from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m," said a government source close to the prime minister, adding that details would be announced at a media briefing on Sunday.
A curfew would allow authorities to prevent civilians from entering or leaving certain areas. Violation could result in a maximum penalty to two years in prison. Thousands of anti-government protesters have been gathering in central Bangkok since April 3. Three days of fighting has killed at least 24 people, spiralling into chaotic urban warfare.
Thailand’s government imposed a state of emergency in five more provinces on Sunday to allow security forces to control any unrest linked to violent protests in Bangkok, a spokesman said.
The government also called on "red shirt" protest leaders to surrender, and announced Monday and Tuesday would be public holidays.
Bangkok and 17 provinces are currently under emergency rule. Most of the provinces are in Thailand’s northeast, a stronghold of the anti-government red shirt movement.
