Bangkok, April 07, 2010, SPA -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in Bangkok on Wednesday following nearly a month of protests, including a siege by opposition activists of the city's main shopping district. In a nationally televised address, Abhisit said a state of emergency would help authorities arrest leaders of the red-shirted, anti-government protest movement that has drawn tens of thousands to Bangkok demanding new elections, according to a report of Reuters. --SPA 14:31 LOCAL TIME 11:31 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/767065