BANGKOK: The Thai government yesterday declared a state of emergency in Bangkok to restore order after a person was killed and 43 injured in overnight clashes between opponents and supporters of the government.

The military has now been empowered to restore order, and the authorities can suspend certain civil liberties, ban public gatherings of more than five people and bar the media from reporting news that could "cause panic".

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said it was the "softest means available" to restore order.