DHAKA: The Thai government has imposed a 60-day state of emergency in Bangkok and surrounding provinces from Wednesday to help contain a protest movement that has blockaded parts of the capital to try to force prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to resign.

Visarn Techateerawat, the deputy interior minister, announced the emergency after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, reports The Straits Times.

The emergency decree gives security agencies the power to impose curfews, detain suspects without charge, censor media, ban political gatherings of more than five people and declare parts of the capital off-limits.

BDST: 1731 HRS, JAN 21, 2014