Thai PM says order restored in Bangkok, provinces

Thai PM says order restored in Bangkok

BANGKOK — Thailand’s prime minister says order has been restored in Bangkok and the provinces, wracked by violence over the past week.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday in a nationally broadcast television address that the government will “move swiftly to restore normalcy.”

He says “We have restored order in the capital of Bangkok and the provinces of Thailand.”

He says the government will continue with its reconciliation plan to build bridges with the Red Shirt protesters.

He says the reconciliation will include an indpenedent investigation of “all events” during the protests.

At least 83 people have been killed in political violence over the last two months. The crisis climaxed on Wednesday when the army overran a Red Shirt encampment in Bangkok.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s prime minister says order has been restored in Bangkok and provinces, wracked by violence over the past week.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Friday in a nationally broadcast television address that the government will “move swiftly to restore normalcy.”

He says “We have restored order in the capital of Bangkok and the provinces of Thailand.”

He says the government will continue with its reconciliation plan to build bridges with the Red Shirt protesters who have been demanding his resignation and new elections.

At least 83 people have been killed in political violence over the last two weeks. It climaxed on Wednesday when the army overran a Red Shirt encampment in central Bangkok.