'End of emergency decree won't deter Thai protesters'

Thai protesters are pressing for a more democratic constitution and reforms to the monarchy. They are demanding Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's resignation.

Bangkok: Thai students say peaceful protests will continue following the government's decision to cancel a state of emergency it had declared for Bangkok last week.

The embattled Thai Prime Minister suggested the gesture to cool massive student-led protests seeking democracy reforms.

The revocation of the emergency decree was published in the government gazette and took effect at noon Thursday.

Sugreeya Wannayuwat, who is leading a challenge to the decree in the Civil Court, said on Thursday after hearing the news that the only thing people want from Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha was his resignation.

"What he explains is the government taking one step backwards, it is not a retreat at all. It is rather because his act has no legitimacy in the first place," she said.

The country's main opposition party, Pheu Thai, was also at the Civil Court on Thursday, pursuing its own case against the decree.

The leader of the party's team at the court was also unimpressed by the prime minister's move.

"He's really doing it to protect himself. Why? Because if he didn't lift the emergency decree today, and the court ordered temporary protection of the protesters, it would mean all his orders and announcement relating to this were illegal," said lawmaker Cholanan Srikaew.

The implicit criticism of the royal institution has stirred controversy because it traditionally has been treated as sacrosanct and a pillar of national identity.

Wednesday marked the eighth straight day of demonstrations by a movement that was launched in March.

AP