BANGKOK -- Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha rescinded at noon Thursday a week-old state of emergency that allowed the use of water cannons, tear gas and skin irritants against peaceful demonstrators last Friday night.
The action by riot police was widely condemned domestically and overseas. The authorities have also used the decree banning gatherings of more than four people to interrupt mass transit systems transporting thousands of protesters in the capital, and to try and restrict unfavorable live media coverage of large youth-led demonstrations over the past week.
