ID :
69787
Fri, 07/10/2009 - 15:37
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/69787
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Deputy PM Suthep: No protests during ASEAN's Phuket meeting
BANGKOK, July 10 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban reemphasised on Friday Thailand would enforce its Internal Security Act (ISC) on Phuket from July 10-24 during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum, and that protests would be strictly prohibited during that period.
The upcoming 42nd ASEAN foreign ministers meeting and the 16th ASEAN Regional Forum will be held at top end hotels in Phuket July 17-23.
Mr. Suthep said the cabinet decision to impose the Act was aimed at preventing a disruption of the two meetings by anti-government protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
Demonstrators from the so-called ‘Red Shirt’ group on April 11 stormed into a hotel in the eastern resort of Pattaya where the ASEAN summit was to be held, forcing the government to cancel it immidiately.
He said violators of the Act will be arrested and prosecuted.
"Some groups may cite the right under the Constitution to hold a demonstration or submit protest letters to meeting participants, but it cannot be done (this time) as it will not be allowed," he said.
The deputy prime minister said he wanted no repetition of the Pattaya incident.
According to the Cabinet decision, the Internal Security Act will be imposed in Phuket and its surrounding area over a radius of five kilometres with the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) responsible for maintaining order, and resolving any untoward incidents which could affect the kingdom’s security during the period.
Mr. Suthep said that even though the Act is enforced in Phuket, the public can carried out their daily lives normally and tourism activities will continue as usual. (TNA)
The upcoming 42nd ASEAN foreign ministers meeting and the 16th ASEAN Regional Forum will be held at top end hotels in Phuket July 17-23.
Mr. Suthep said the cabinet decision to impose the Act was aimed at preventing a disruption of the two meetings by anti-government protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
Demonstrators from the so-called ‘Red Shirt’ group on April 11 stormed into a hotel in the eastern resort of Pattaya where the ASEAN summit was to be held, forcing the government to cancel it immidiately.
He said violators of the Act will be arrested and prosecuted.
"Some groups may cite the right under the Constitution to hold a demonstration or submit protest letters to meeting participants, but it cannot be done (this time) as it will not be allowed," he said.
The deputy prime minister said he wanted no repetition of the Pattaya incident.
According to the Cabinet decision, the Internal Security Act will be imposed in Phuket and its surrounding area over a radius of five kilometres with the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) responsible for maintaining order, and resolving any untoward incidents which could affect the kingdom’s security during the period.
Mr. Suthep said that even though the Act is enforced in Phuket, the public can carried out their daily lives normally and tourism activities will continue as usual. (TNA)
