Thailand lifts emergency, citing tourism drop

Jocelyn Gecker (AP)

A woman gives alms to Buddhist monks walking past an anti-government demonstration near the Government House in Bangkok 9/14/08. Thailand's government has been paralyzed since late August by anti-government protests. The People's Alliance for Democracy, a disparate group of royalist businessmen, academics, and activists, accused Samak of being a puppet of Thaksin Shinawatra, the prime minister ousted by the army in a 2006 coup (Kerek Wongsa/Reuters).

BANGKOK, Thailand - The Thai government ended a state of emergency imposed in the capital to control a spiraling political crisis, saying Sunday it had only served to scare away tourists crucial to the country's economy.

Emergency rule was imposed by the government on Sept. 2 after a night of violent clashes between anti-government supporters and opponents left one man dead and dozens injured.

Images of the mayhem were broadcast around the world, prompting travel advisories from several countries. More>>

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Thaksin relative wins ruling party backing for PM

BANGKOK, Thailand -- The ruling party has endorsed the brother-in-law of deposed leader Thaksin Shinawatra as its nominee to become the next prime minister. The spokesman for the People's Power Party, Kuthep Saikrajang, says the party picked acting Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat on Monday (9/15) ahead of a parliamentary vote scheduled for Wednesday. More>>

Buddhist monks walk past a riot policeman guarding the Thai parliament during a demonstration in support of ousted Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Friday 9/12/08 in Bangkok. Thailand's parliament has postponed until next week a vote to elect a new prime minister after it failed to obtain a quorum in the house. The low turnout was the result of a boycott by the opposition Democrat Party and some coalition partners of the ruling party to protest ousted leader Samak Sundaravej's decision to re-contest the post (AP Photo/Ed Wray).