Thailand's Prime Minister says the military has restored order in Bangkok and other provinces. Abhisit Vejjajiva made the announcement in a national television address on Friday afternoon.

Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thailand's Prime Minister, said, "We will continue to move swiftly to restore normalcy, and we recognise that as we move ahead there are huge challenges ahead of us, particularly the challenge of overcoming the divisions that have occurred in this country. Let me reassure you that the government will meet those challenges and overcome these difficulties through the five point reconciliation plan that I had previously announced."

Abhisit adds that the reconciliation plan with red shirt protesters is based on the principle of participation, democracy and justice. He also says there will be an independent investigation into all the events that have taken place during the protest.

At least 83 people have been killed in the political violence over the past fortnight. The situation came to a head Wednesday when the army overran the Red Shirt encampment in central Bangkok, leading protesters to torch a number of buildings. A three-day curfew remains in force.