It is appears unlikely that the state of emergency will be extended, when the associated executive decree expires at the end of this month. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngarm said this morning (Tuesday) that the issue of extending the decree was not among the agenda for discussion by the Cabinet today.

“So, if the decree is not extended, there is no need for the matter to be discussed by the Cabinet and the decree will automatically expire on June 30^th,” said Dr. Wissanu.

The decree was announced on March 26^th, as Thailand imposed lockdown measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.  It was extended at the end of April and again in May and is due to expire on June 30^th.

Political activist groups, and some opposition parties, have been demanding that the Government scrap the emergency decree, claiming that the coronavirus situation has improved and the country has entered the 4th phase of lockdown relaxations.

They also claim that the Government has an ulterior motive for maintaining the decree, namely to restrict political activities.