Govt maintains state of emergency in Bangkok : PM

Abhisit said the decision was made because the government wanted to restore peace and order in the country. He said that the government wished the state would be in force as short as possible.

"We will continue applying the state of emergency, but for as short a period as possible, in order to restore peace and normalcy in Bangkok and its vicinities," Abhisit said.

 He said the measures were still needed to "prevent any repeat incidents. There are still a few risky spots," he said.

He was speaking after chairing a special cabinet meeting at the Government House on Friday.

He insisted that the decision to maintain the state of emergency in Bangkok has nothing involved with the attack on Sondhi Limthongkul, People's Alliance for Democracy, on Friday morning.

Sondhi and PAD protesters late last year seized two Bangkok airports during their protests against government of Somchai Wongsawat, brother-in-law of fugitive ex-Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

They halted the seizure of airports and end the protest after Constitutional Court dissolved Somchai's People Power Party.