ID :
80227
Wed, 09/16/2009 - 15:16
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/80227
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Government may extend security law if protest escalates: Deputy PM
BANGKOK, Sept 16 (TNA) - Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Wednesday said the government's planned use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the capital’s Dusit district this week is likely to be extended to other areas if the planned protest by the anti-government Red Shirts goes out of control.
The warning came after the Cabinet on Tuesday resolved to apply the ISA from Friday (September 18) through Tuesday (September 22) in Bangkok's Dusit district, where most official buildings are located, including Parliament and Government House, out of concern that the rally could draw hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters from the capital and upcountry, which warrants applying the law to prevent any possible disturbance.
Mr Suthep urged the protesters to demonstrate peacefully and not violate the law nor cause turmoil in the capital, but warned that the government is compelled to apply more stringent measures to prevent the situation from going out of control if the protesters refuse to comply with the law.
"The government may extend the ISA enforcement to other areas and use force to restore order if needed," Mr Suthep warned after being asked about possible widespread protests in key areas.
The deputy prime minister also said he hoped the rally will end about midnight Saturday-Sunday (overnight September 19-20) as earlier announced by leaders of the anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), popularly known as the Red Shirts.
"If the rally is prolonged, I would ask for the Cabinet's approval to further extend enforcement of the ISA," Mr Suthep said.
The so-called Red Shirts announced that it will mobilise its supporters from the Northeast to rally at the home of Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, president of the Privy Council on Saturday before marching to the nearby Royal Plaza.
The UDD accused Gen Prem of orchestrating the 2006 coup that ousted Mr Thaksin while he was attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Opposition Puea Thai MP and UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan pledged the rally will be peaceful but will prolong if the government apply harsh measures against the demonstrators.
The anti-government rally is expected to be the largest since the demonstrations at Government House in April turned into riots that left two dead and more than 120 injured.
Mr Suthep also asked the red-shirts not to blockade the country's two main airports as the group is reportedly planned to adopt tactics similar to those done by its yellow-shirted opponents--the People's Alliance for Democracy, saying that would cause tremendous damage to the country.
The deputy prime minister said the government is now trying to establish whether the report is correct. (TNA)
The warning came after the Cabinet on Tuesday resolved to apply the ISA from Friday (September 18) through Tuesday (September 22) in Bangkok's Dusit district, where most official buildings are located, including Parliament and Government House, out of concern that the rally could draw hundreds of thousands of anti-government protesters from the capital and upcountry, which warrants applying the law to prevent any possible disturbance.
Mr Suthep urged the protesters to demonstrate peacefully and not violate the law nor cause turmoil in the capital, but warned that the government is compelled to apply more stringent measures to prevent the situation from going out of control if the protesters refuse to comply with the law.
"The government may extend the ISA enforcement to other areas and use force to restore order if needed," Mr Suthep warned after being asked about possible widespread protests in key areas.
The deputy prime minister also said he hoped the rally will end about midnight Saturday-Sunday (overnight September 19-20) as earlier announced by leaders of the anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), popularly known as the Red Shirts.
"If the rally is prolonged, I would ask for the Cabinet's approval to further extend enforcement of the ISA," Mr Suthep said.
The so-called Red Shirts announced that it will mobilise its supporters from the Northeast to rally at the home of Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, president of the Privy Council on Saturday before marching to the nearby Royal Plaza.
The UDD accused Gen Prem of orchestrating the 2006 coup that ousted Mr Thaksin while he was attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Opposition Puea Thai MP and UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan pledged the rally will be peaceful but will prolong if the government apply harsh measures against the demonstrators.
The anti-government rally is expected to be the largest since the demonstrations at Government House in April turned into riots that left two dead and more than 120 injured.
Mr Suthep also asked the red-shirts not to blockade the country's two main airports as the group is reportedly planned to adopt tactics similar to those done by its yellow-shirted opponents--the People's Alliance for Democracy, saying that would cause tremendous damage to the country.
The deputy prime minister said the government is now trying to establish whether the report is correct. (TNA)
