U.S. State Department Urges Restraint in Thailand

Secretary of State John Kerry meets with now Caretaker Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul at the Department of State in Washington, DC, on May 6m 2013

 

WASHINGTON– The United States on Tuesday urged all sides in Thailand to show restraint and refrain from violence as the US ally imposed emergency rule to tackle mass protests.

Washington condemned violence and called for an investigation into incidents including grenade attacks that killed one person and injured dozens more.

“We urge all sides to refrain from violence, exercise restraint, and respect the rule of law,” State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said in a statement.

“We encourage all involved to commit to sincere dialogue to resolve political differences peacefully and democratically.”

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s government declared a 60-day state of emergency, which includes a ban on gatherings of more than five people, but ruled out the use of force or giving the army the leading role.

Thailand is the oldest US ally in Asia, with the kingdom then known as Siam famously offering president Abraham Lincoln elephants to fight the civil war.