ID :
84437
Tue, 10/13/2009 - 20:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/84437
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Security law to be imposed in Thai capital during ASEAN Summit
BANGKOK, Oct 13 (TNA) - Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Tuesday that his Cabinet resolved to invoke the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the capital beginning Thursday to maintain law and order during the planned mass rallies of the anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters.
The UDD Red Shirts announced their intention to rally in Bangkok on Saturday (October 17) and the following week, Saturday October 24, after their Sunday protest at the Democracy Monument on the weekend marked the anniversary of the promulgation of the 1997 Constitution abolished by the 2006 coupmakers.
The UDD said that they will gather at the Royal Plaza in Dusit district on Saturday, then march to Government House to pressure the Abhisit government for action, as promised, after the passage of 60 days regarding their petition asking for a royal pardon for deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The premier, however, said that the ISA will be enforced in Dusit district October 15-25 to maintain order and prevent any untoward incident, as well as to reassure the safety of international leaders who will be guests of Thailand at the 15th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, scheduled to be held in the seaside resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin beginning October 23.
Meanwhile, Dr Panitan Wattanayakorn, deputy secretary-general to Prime Minister, said after the Cabinet meeting that it is necessary to impose the ISA in the capital, along with its enforcement in Cha-am and Hua Hin where the ASEAN Summit will be held.
"We have been informed that some groups of protesters will march and besiege government office buildings in Dusit district during the ASEAN Summit," said Dr. Panitan who is also acting government spokesman.
The two areas (Bangkok and ASEAN summit venues), are linked, said Dr Panitan, as any incident that occurs can affect international confidence in the kingdom.
Dr Panitan said that the Thai government has concluded that other governments will feel more secure with the ISA enforcement.
He added that an Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) meeting will be held Wednesday to set up a temporary centre for maintaining order which will be directed by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thausuban, as well as to approve the operations plan and clarify control of transportation routes.
The Cabinet on Tuesday also agreed to extend the Emergency Decree in the three restive southern provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani for another three months, effective from October 20, 2009 through January 19, 2010.
The Cabinet is preparing to revoke martial law in the four districts of Songkla province, adjacent with the three southernmost provinces, and to replace it with the ISA, while setting up a complaint centre in the four provinces supervised by Minister to Prime Minister's Office Sathit Wongnongteoy, to receive complaints from local residents and give the opportunity to presumed insurgents to turn themselves in to the authorities. (TNA)
The UDD Red Shirts announced their intention to rally in Bangkok on Saturday (October 17) and the following week, Saturday October 24, after their Sunday protest at the Democracy Monument on the weekend marked the anniversary of the promulgation of the 1997 Constitution abolished by the 2006 coupmakers.
The UDD said that they will gather at the Royal Plaza in Dusit district on Saturday, then march to Government House to pressure the Abhisit government for action, as promised, after the passage of 60 days regarding their petition asking for a royal pardon for deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The premier, however, said that the ISA will be enforced in Dusit district October 15-25 to maintain order and prevent any untoward incident, as well as to reassure the safety of international leaders who will be guests of Thailand at the 15th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, scheduled to be held in the seaside resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin beginning October 23.
Meanwhile, Dr Panitan Wattanayakorn, deputy secretary-general to Prime Minister, said after the Cabinet meeting that it is necessary to impose the ISA in the capital, along with its enforcement in Cha-am and Hua Hin where the ASEAN Summit will be held.
"We have been informed that some groups of protesters will march and besiege government office buildings in Dusit district during the ASEAN Summit," said Dr. Panitan who is also acting government spokesman.
The two areas (Bangkok and ASEAN summit venues), are linked, said Dr Panitan, as any incident that occurs can affect international confidence in the kingdom.
Dr Panitan said that the Thai government has concluded that other governments will feel more secure with the ISA enforcement.
He added that an Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) meeting will be held Wednesday to set up a temporary centre for maintaining order which will be directed by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thausuban, as well as to approve the operations plan and clarify control of transportation routes.
The Cabinet on Tuesday also agreed to extend the Emergency Decree in the three restive southern provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani for another three months, effective from October 20, 2009 through January 19, 2010.
The Cabinet is preparing to revoke martial law in the four districts of Songkla province, adjacent with the three southernmost provinces, and to replace it with the ISA, while setting up a complaint centre in the four provinces supervised by Minister to Prime Minister's Office Sathit Wongnongteoy, to receive complaints from local residents and give the opportunity to presumed insurgents to turn themselves in to the authorities. (TNA)
