ID :
93101
Thu, 12/03/2009 - 19:45
Auther :

Suthep rules out security law enforcement in Bangkok on December 10

BANGKOK, Dec 3 (TNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said Thursday that the government will not impose the stringent security law measues in Bangkok next Thursday --Constitution Day--when members of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) plan to stage a rally.

Talking to reporters after a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Mr Suthep said the government and agencies concerned will not invoke the Internal Security Act (ISA) during the UDD demonstration on that day.

The NSC meeting, attended by Mr Suthep who oversees national security and the commanders-in-chief of the three armed forces, was to evaluate security measures in light of the UDD's planned rally.

Police will be deployed to maintain order and closely monitor the situation during the rally, Mr Suthep added.

As Saturday is His Majesty the King's birthday and December is considered an auspicious month in Thailand, the deputy premier said the security meeting participants were optimistic that political conflicts or violence would be avoided.

Asked whether the anti-government group will discredit the government, Mr Suthep said every agency concerned has to monitor the situation and the 'Red Shirt' protestors should not deny their responsibilities or blame the government if the situation turns violent.

He said the government would not negotiate with the UDD's core leaders to persuade them to postpone the rally and "up till now there is no report indicating that there will be violence."

As for a report about an attempt to cause unrest during the New Year celebrations, Mr Suthep said the NSC has yet to evaluate the situation.

The top UDD leaders told reporters on Wednesday that their supporters will stage a peaceful protest at the Democracy Monument on Rajdamnoen Avenue in Bangkok on December 10, from noon until midnight. Their objectives are to call for democracy and topple the Abhisit government. (TNA)



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