Army say the state of emergency should be extended

Army officials stated on 21 April 2009 that the state of emergency in Bangkok should be extended due to ongoing underground activities by the opposition. The permanent secretary of defense reported that the anti-government groups will likely incite unrest despite previous assurances by leaders of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) that they would keep their protests peaceful. A joint parliamentary session will be held on 22 April to discuss the possibility of lifting the state of emergency; however, the state of emergency will likely be extended as authorities maintain that previously announced protests -- planned for 25 April in Samut Sakhon province, 22 mi/36 km from Bangkok, and on 30 April in Nakon Ratchasima, 178 mi/286 mi northeast of the capital -- threaten the country’s stability.