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82732
Fri, 10/02/2009 - 16:22
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Thailand to invoke security law for ASEAN Summit
BANGKOK, Oct 2 (TNA) - Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Friday that the Thai government will invoke the Internal Security Act (ISA) to maintain peace and order in the seaside resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin, the twin venues of the 15th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related summits.
As deputy premier overseeing security affairs, Mr Suthep said he has assigned Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan to supervise the security of the ASEAN meetings.
He said the ISA enforcement will prohibit any gatherings in the areas, while some ten thousand military and police will be deployed to ensure there is no disruption during the summit.
"I reassure that the ASEAN summits will be not forced to cancel as happened in Pattaya," said the deputy premier. "This meeting is significant for our country and our premier will chair the summit for the last time as ASEAN chair. We must do our best."
In April the Thai government was forced to cancel ASEAN’s intended three-day summit with its dialogue partners in Pattaya after anti-government protesters led by the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) stormed the hotel venue.
Meanwhile, Army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda said the ISA will be enforced between October 12 and 27 in nine sub-districts of Phetchaburi's Cha-am district and four sub-districts of Prachuab Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district.
The army chief however says he is confident there will be no untoward incident during the regional pact meeting.
The deputy premier affirmed enforcing the ISA will not disrupt the daily life of local residents.
Regarding traffic during the ASEAN meetings, Mr Suthep said that local residents can travel normally, but a special "ASEAN lane" will be preserved for motorcades of country leaders, senior delegations, as well as media, as they have to travel from their hotels to the meeting venues.
When asked whether the government will impose the ISA during the rally of anti-government protesters in the capital while the ASEAN summits are taking place, he said that the ISA will be reimposed in Dusit district if it is deemed necessary. (TNA)
As deputy premier overseeing security affairs, Mr Suthep said he has assigned Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan to supervise the security of the ASEAN meetings.
He said the ISA enforcement will prohibit any gatherings in the areas, while some ten thousand military and police will be deployed to ensure there is no disruption during the summit.
"I reassure that the ASEAN summits will be not forced to cancel as happened in Pattaya," said the deputy premier. "This meeting is significant for our country and our premier will chair the summit for the last time as ASEAN chair. We must do our best."
In April the Thai government was forced to cancel ASEAN’s intended three-day summit with its dialogue partners in Pattaya after anti-government protesters led by the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) stormed the hotel venue.
Meanwhile, Army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda said the ISA will be enforced between October 12 and 27 in nine sub-districts of Phetchaburi's Cha-am district and four sub-districts of Prachuab Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district.
The army chief however says he is confident there will be no untoward incident during the regional pact meeting.
The deputy premier affirmed enforcing the ISA will not disrupt the daily life of local residents.
Regarding traffic during the ASEAN meetings, Mr Suthep said that local residents can travel normally, but a special "ASEAN lane" will be preserved for motorcades of country leaders, senior delegations, as well as media, as they have to travel from their hotels to the meeting venues.
When asked whether the government will impose the ISA during the rally of anti-government protesters in the capital while the ASEAN summits are taking place, he said that the ISA will be reimposed in Dusit district if it is deemed necessary. (TNA)
