Thailand extends emergency rule in Muslim south

"The cabinet approved the extension of emergency rule in three southern provinces for another three months," General Vinai Phattiyakul, head of the National Security Council, told AFP after the cabinet's weekly meeting.

Cabinet approval of the extension was widely seen as a formality, with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra publicly saying the controversial emergency measures would be extended several times before the meeting Tuesday.

Thaksin imposed the measures by decree in July but the tough new rules were set to expire on October 20 without approval of the cabinet.

Under emergency rule, authorities can detain suspects for up to 30 days without charge, search and arrest without warrants, and tap phones, among other actions aimed at quelling an Islamic insurgency and other unrest.