( CNN ) -- Thailand is no stranger to civil unrest -- just four years ago the same emergency laws brought in this week were used to end political protests that left scores dead and thousands injured . While this year 's state of emergency may not differ in substance , it is being projected by the government of Yingluck Shinawatra as different in style . The 60-day clampdown gives the government the power to implement curfews , censor the news media , disperse gatherings and use military force to `` secure order . '' Analysts say in this respect it is no different to the law that Suthep Thaugsuban -- a former deputy prime minister who is now leading anti-government protests -- used in 2010 to bring a violent end to months of protests in the capital Bangkok . But this time , the government says it has no plans to crack down on the protesters that have disrupted the capital Bangkok for weeks . Labor Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung , who will oversee the joint operation between the military and the police , told a press conference this week the government would not use weapons and would not attempt to disperse protesters at night . In 2010 , the military 's attempt to clear protester encampments at night was widely held to have been responsible for the high death toll of around 80 people . The use of the police as a stabilizing force in the deadlock has been widely seen as an attempt by the government to inject a civilian element into the state of emergency . In recent weeks , the government has been praised by foreign governments , including the United States , for its restraint in handling the protests . Despite this , human rights groups fear the state of emergency could boil over if protesters -- who aim to disrupt elections scheduled for February 2 and want to institute an unelected `` people 's council '' to run the country ahead of a political overhaul -- ratchet up the pressure . `` This is the same piece of legislation with the same powers , '' Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch told CNN . `` Her ( Yingluck Shinawatra ) powers are not limited by this . '' `` While she says she will not use these powers immediately , it will very much depend on the situation , '' he said . `` If she felt that the protesters were instigating violence to stop the elections , she might use some of these powers . `` Our view is that we 're concerned that this ( the state of emergency ) will be viewed as an escalation by the protesters , but on the other hand governments do have a responsibility to maintain some sense of law and order . `` As long as they do this in a rights-friendly way , I do n't think people will complain about it . Everything will swing on what happens next . '' While Thailand has said it remains open for business despite the state of emergency , the US State Department issued a travel alert for Thailand this week , warning U.S. citizens of the `` unpredictable and ongoing demonstration activity '' ahead of the elections . According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand , a total of 34 countries and regions have issued travel warnings for Thailand , including China , France , Australia and Japan . The protests have already rattled the nerves of some of Thailand 's biggest investors . On Monday , the president of Toyota 's Thailand unit Kyoichi Tanada told a press conference the company may reconsider up to 20 billion baht ( $ 609 million ) in investment -- and could even cut production -- if political unrest continues . `` For new foreign investors , the political situation may force them to look for opportunity elsewhere . For those that have already invested , like Toyota , we will not go away . But whether we will invest ( further ) or not , we are not sure . '' Thailand is the biggest auto market in Southeast Asia and is a production and export hub for car manufacturers such as Honda Motor Company and Ford . Despite political instability , Thailand has shown formidable economic growth over the past decade and is still attracting foreign investment from small to medium-sized enterprises . In 2010 , the medium-sized design company Design World Partnership decided to remain in Bangkok despite having its office windows shot out during the crackdown . `` We have to take the long view . If you look at the view over the past five to ten years the growth in Thailand has been phenomenal , '' Brenton Mauriello , DWP Chief Executive Officer , told CNN . `` Of course it would be better if it was n't there and in the short-term our business has been affected but it 's not catastrophic , '' he said . `` You do n't come to a country like Thailand and invest over a three or four-month period -- it 's a long-term commitment . '' He said that his company was expecting the situation to resolve itself and that by April or May it would be business as usual . `` We are now starting to invest back into Australia , '' said Mauriello , whose company began in Australia , established itself in Thailand in 1994 and and now has nine offices and 450 staff worldwide . `` I think that shows that if we can do it , anyone can . ''
Thailand has a long history of civil unrest , with dozens of governments since 1946 . The state of emergency invokes the same powers that were used in the bloody crackdown of 2010 . The 60-day clampdown gives the government wide-ranging powers to maintain public order . Large investors such as Toyota have said continuing unrest could damage the Thai economy .