ID :
151044
Wed, 11/24/2010 - 11:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/151044
The shortlink copeid
Army chief denies 'double standard' in enforcing emergency decree
BANGKOK, Nov 24 -- Thai army commander Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said Tuesday that the country's security agencies and related authorities have never practiced a double standard in enforcing the government's emergency decree against protest groups, but asserted that every group has been treated equally in order to maintain law and order.
Gen Prayuth said the emergency decree now in force in Bangkok and its adjacent provinces should be maintained "until the situation returns to normal".
The security-related agencies have treated every group equally without a double standard, or giving favour to any group, he said.
The ongoing gathering of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Thailand's Yellow Shirt movement, at Parliament could be done under the law, but the demonstration must be free of violence.
The PAD began their protest at Parliament on Tuesday in opposition to the draft charter amendments which are being deliberated in the current joint sitting of Parliament, and pledged to continue its protest there until all amendments have either been withdrawn or rejected.
They dispersed at around 10pm last night and returned to Parliament at around 8am.
The first day of the debate end at before midnight without any problem both inside and outside Parliament and would resume debate on Wednesday morning.
Metropolitan Police Division 1 commander Pol Maj-Gen Vichai Sangprapai said the security measures to ensure law and order ran smoothly on Tuesday and that measures would remain the same on Wednesday as four companies of police were deployed at Parliament while six companies were ready to provide backup support within one hour and an additional ten companies are standing by.
As the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) order issued Friday prohibits the sale or free distribution of politically-oriented materials including shirts, photographs, illustrations and printed texts apparently aimed at sparking disunity in society, Gen Prayuth said the ban would not be lifted.
He said the order would remain in effect even though Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva believed it might violate people's right to free speech.
Mr Abhisit earlier said he would ask CRES to review the ban.
Gen Prayuth said CRES clarified the ban to Mr Abhisit explaining that it did not intend to violate people's right but is focusing on things that could offend the monarchy. (MCOT online news)
Gen Prayuth said the emergency decree now in force in Bangkok and its adjacent provinces should be maintained "until the situation returns to normal".
The security-related agencies have treated every group equally without a double standard, or giving favour to any group, he said.
The ongoing gathering of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Thailand's Yellow Shirt movement, at Parliament could be done under the law, but the demonstration must be free of violence.
The PAD began their protest at Parliament on Tuesday in opposition to the draft charter amendments which are being deliberated in the current joint sitting of Parliament, and pledged to continue its protest there until all amendments have either been withdrawn or rejected.
They dispersed at around 10pm last night and returned to Parliament at around 8am.
The first day of the debate end at before midnight without any problem both inside and outside Parliament and would resume debate on Wednesday morning.
Metropolitan Police Division 1 commander Pol Maj-Gen Vichai Sangprapai said the security measures to ensure law and order ran smoothly on Tuesday and that measures would remain the same on Wednesday as four companies of police were deployed at Parliament while six companies were ready to provide backup support within one hour and an additional ten companies are standing by.
As the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) order issued Friday prohibits the sale or free distribution of politically-oriented materials including shirts, photographs, illustrations and printed texts apparently aimed at sparking disunity in society, Gen Prayuth said the ban would not be lifted.
He said the order would remain in effect even though Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva believed it might violate people's right to free speech.
Mr Abhisit earlier said he would ask CRES to review the ban.
Gen Prayuth said CRES clarified the ban to Mr Abhisit explaining that it did not intend to violate people's right but is focusing on things that could offend the monarchy. (MCOT online news)
