BANGKOK: The Thai government said Monday it was lifting a state of emergency in three more provinces, but not Bangkok, almost three months after the end of deadly opposition protests in the capital.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva revoked the decree in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Ubon Ratchathani in north and northeast Thailand, said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.

The strict laws, which ban public gatherings of more than five people and give security forces the right to detain suspects for 30 days without charge, remain in place in seven out of Thailand`s 76 provinces.

They were introduced in Bangkok on April 7 in response to mass anti-government protests that left at least 90 people dead and 1,900 injured, ending in a bloody army crackdown in May.

BDST: 1132 HRS, August 16, 2010