The government yesterday declared a state of emergency in 15 more provinces to block more red shirts from joining anti-government protests at the Rajprasong shopping area.
The state of emergency was earlier declared in Bangkok and parts of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom and Ayutthaya.
Sansern said the emergency was aimed at allowing the authorities to prevent red shirts in those provinces from travelling to Bangkok. He also said that the commanders of the Second and Third Army Regions were assigned by the CRES to work with the governors of those provinces to maintain peace there.
The decisions were reached yesterday at a CRES meeting that was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, according to the spokesman.
He also said that the CRES decided to prohibit any aircraft or hang-gliders from flying over the Rajprasong area, adding that the Royal Thai Air Force would enforce the ban.
As part of the moves to mount pressure on the protesters, security forces would set up more checkpoints on roads around Rajprasong, including parts of Phetchaburi, Phya Thai, Rajprarop and Witthayu (Wireless), according to the spokesman.
He said the measure to cut off power and water supplies to the protest site would remain.
The CRES spokesman said that the purpose of deploying armoured vehicles near the protest site was to guard security forces against possible bombing or shooting attacks from terrorists hiding among the protesters. "There is no intention of harming unarmed protesters," he insisted.
He also said that in dispersing the crowd, the security forces would take measures ranging from light to harsh depending on the situation. Rubber bullets would be used as a warning to approaching protesters and if the latter became threatening, troops would fire live shots into the air to defend themselves.
Meanwhile, red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua said the protesters had still not completely reject the government's offer of national reconciliation. But the red shirts would continue their protests and defy any attempt by the authorities to disperse them.
People at the protest site yesterday reported that they could not make calls from their mobile phones and suspected it could be due to phone signals being blocked. Reporters said they would use their cellphones after moving out of the area to places such as the Royal Thai Police headquarters.