Thai 'Red Shirts' stormed Parliment - State of emergency declared

Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency Wednesday, hours after anti-government demonstrators stormed the country's parliament.

Speaking on nationwide television, he said the "purpose is to restore peace and order and to stop the spreading of false information to the Thai public."

Vejjajiva said the measure is effective in Bangkok and nearby provinces and "will limit certain rights of people."

According to the order, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban has been appointed to administer the emergency law.

While the prime minister stressed that the measure is not mean to disperse people, the decree bans the gathering of more than five persons who are deemed to instigate an emergency situation.

It bans the publishing, broadcasting or spreading information considered a threat to national security and it prohibits people from staying in certain areas.