Thai gov't extends public holiday to facilitate stability-restoration

BANGKOK. April 14. KAZINFORM Thailand's Acting Government Spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn announced Tuesday that the public holiday for Songkran Festival would be extended for two days until April 17, Kazinform refers to Xinhua.
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The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the decision, which would allow state agencies to stay closed until Friday, while the government would let private businesses and state enterprises to consider whether to remain closed for the benefit of their own and the people. The decision to extend the Songkran Festival holiday, which officially falls on April 13-15, is meant for "security, stability and rehabilitation," said Panithan. The announcement came after leaders of the anti-government protesters' group United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) told protesters to stop rallies at the Government House in Bangkok and other provinces, and surrendered to police. The Songkran Festival is Thai traditional New Year, when foreign tourists and Thais join in water-splashing celebrations. However, this year's Songkran holiday began with violent confrontations between military and anti-government protesters on Monday, which caused two deaths and 121 injuries by far. Some of the most popular shopping malls and department stores in downtown business districts, and gold shops in Chinatown area in Bangkok were closed from Monday amid escalating violence. Government-sponsored festive activities have also been canceled, Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.chinaview.cn for full version.
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