Special Report: Crisis in Thailand

    BANGKOK, March 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop said Tuesday the Thai Cabinet agrees to make Chidchai Wannasathit, the first-order deputy prime minister, to be in charge of the government affairs when caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is outside Bangkok.

    Thaksin, who is in Thai North-eastern Province of Ubon Ratchathani, finished chairing the tele-conference meeting with his Cabinet on Tuesday morning at Government House. He said he asked Chidchai to take care of protesters in Bangkok.

    Thaksin said he will go on working for the country and will not announce a state of emergency yet.

    Hours earlier, Thaksin said he is prepared to declare a state of emergency if mass protests against him in Bangkok turns violent.

    Tuesday morning, tens of thousands of demonstrators marched peacefully towards the Government House, vowing to remain there until Thaksin resign.

    The Metropolitan Police Bureau has prepared five fire engines and 600 commando police for dispersing protesters in case of emergency. Another 5,000 policemen have been deployed at sensitive places to keep law and order at the rally sites. Enditem