The cabinet is expected to vote about how to prolong the emergency law for the second time today, as calls for repealing the decree became stronger.
The emergency decree, which had already been extended once in late April, will expire at the end of May unless the Cabinet prolongs it on Tuesday. Government officials say the decree is needed to coordinate various agencies to fight the virus, but critics suspect a sinister motive.
Pichai Rattanadilok na Phuket, a Democracy advocacy group's rep, said that extending the decree is no longer "acceptable or required." He said efforts to combat the virus should rely on a strong public health care system and not on government-invested special powers.
Pichai also warned that a prolonged power of emergency will affect both public and economic freedom.
The People's Network for 5 Regions, a collective rights lobbying NGO, petitioned the Prime Minister Tuesday morning asking for the revocation of the emergency decree.
The network said the declaration violated the rights and freedoms of the people.
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