Cabinet revised Internal Security Operations Command Act

[ando]

I guess they just dont get it!

The Army wants ultimate control , even under the guise of a future pseudo democracy.

And not a peep out of the Anti-Thaksin crowd here. Out of the frying pan and into the fire for the Thai citizens who support a true democracy, me thinks.

[Mid]

New security policy to facilitate reconciliation and unity

Published on August 2, 2007

The Cabinet yesterday en-dorsed a security policy for the next five years, saying the country would face a critical transition period in its political reform that could pose a risk to national security.

The policy aimed to serve the national interest, which is defined as reconciliation and unity, said government spokes-man Dr Yongyuth Mayalarp.

From this year to 2011, Thailand would face a deep divide in political thought and people would be involved in a fierce struggle to impose their goals upon each other. The struggle would affect the security of national institutions, according to a policy paper prepared by the National Security Council (NSC). Violence in the South was also a main national security concern, as was international terrorism, narcotics and illegal immigration, it said.

snip

nationmultimedia.com

Edited August 2, 2007 by Mid

[Jai Dee]

Sonthi chairs meeting of ISOC Area 1 on referendum campaign

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, chairman of the Council for National Security, Tuesday chaired a meeting of provincial governors and officials of Internal Security Operations Command Area 1 on national referendum campaigns.

Sonthi chaired the meeting at Chaleena Hotel at 10 am.

The meeting was attended by First Army Area Commander Lt Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, provincial governors from 26 provinces in the First Army Area and presidents of provincial administration organizations.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Sonthi said the meeting discussed how to encourage voters to come out to cast vote in the national referendum on draft charter on Sunday.

Source: The Nation - 14 August 2007

[rafval]

I suppose they are worried about coming events that cannot be mentioned here

[Mid]

Amnesty Concerned Over Thailand's Internal Security Bill

August 15, 2007 19:07 PM

By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- Amnesty International today voiced its concern over Thailand's Internal Security Bill which gives sweeping powers to the military with little accountability and could violate international human rights standards and further jeopardise human rights in the country.

It said the Draft Act on the Maintenance of National Security in the kingdom currently under review by Thailand's Council of State (the government's legal advisory body), vested sweeping and ill-defined powers in the military, in particular the commander-in-chief.

snip

Amnesty said the limited scrutiny by the courts further compounded the risk that powers would be arbitrarily exercised and abused.

"As Amnesty has reported in the past, Thailand has for decades enacted wide-ranging and vaguely worded emergency decrees and martial law, granting the military sweeping powers, particularly in the south. These have resulted in human rights violations and have not brought peace or security," it added.

For example, investigations into the deaths of almost 200 people, caused by the security forces' ill-treatment and excessive use of lethal force, during the violent suppression of attacks by armed groups in three southern provinces on April 28, 2004 and during the Tak Bai demonstrations on Oct 25, 2004 have not resulted in those responsible being brought to justice.

In addition, the enforced disappearance of more than 20 people since the escalation of violence in the south in 2004 remained unsolved, Amnesty said.

-- BERNAMA

[Mid]

Amnesty urges Thai junta to scrap security bill

Last updated 06:58pm (Mla time) 08/15/2007

BANGKOK -- Amnesty International on Wednesday urged Thailand's army-backed government to scrap a controversial security bill, saying it violates human rights by giving sweeping powers to the military.

snip

Agence France-Presse

[JAG]

I guess they just dont get it!

The Army wants ultimate control , even under the guise of a future pseudo democracy.

And not a peep out of the Anti-Thaksin crowd here. Out of the frying pan and into the fire for the Thai citizens who support a true democracy, me thinks.

I expect that they think that the Army will let the bars stay open later!

[Jai Dee]

Defence Minister confident internal security bill can prevent violence

Minister of Defence Gen.Boonrod Somtad (บุญรอด สมทัศน์) expresses his confidence that the internal security bill can prevent violent situations.

The minister says the bill is being considered by the Council of the State and will be forwarded to the National Legislative Assembly later. He also affirms the national security unit has a good intention in drafting the bill as at present the Internal Security Operations Command has no law for itself.

Gen.Boonrod states that the bill can be amended later after it has been enforced.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 August 2007

[Rajah]

Security bill sails through unopposed

The controversial Internal Security Bill was overwhelmingly endorsed by the National Legislative Assembly yesterday with no lawmaker opposing it during two hours of deliberation.

The assembly voted 105-8 in favour, with two abstentions.

More than 20 other bills were passed by overwhelming - sometimes even unanimous - approval, including those on public debt, non-formal education, the Bank of Thailand and the establishment of associations and foundations.

Protesters abandoned any hope of preventing the assembly, which they regard as illegitimate, from passing the security bill and left just minutes before its second reading at 6pm.

They vowed to gather 10,000 signatures to start a constitutional motion to repeal the law.

"Please carry out the [security] work with utmost care. Please always remember that there are people who are apprehensive that the law will be abused," urged NLA member Viriya Namsiripong seconds after the bill was passed.

Chotechuang Chutinatorn, one of the 200 or so protesters, said Thailand now had its own notorious "Gestapo" that could curb people's rights such as freedom of movement and the right to use electronic devices like the Internet.

He handed out bundles of flyers attacking the bill, but to no avail.

"It's like giving a blank cheque to officials," he said.

Protesters vowed to continue to oppose the bill.

At its heart is Article 17, which grants the Internal Security Operations Com-mand (Isoc) - headed by the prime minister as director with the Army chief as deputy head - the authority to order curfews, restrict citizens' freedom of movement and access to and use of any electronic equipment, place anyone under house arrest, stop vehicles and close down roads or transportation routes, and order any government official to carry out or stop carrying out any duty.

Isoc will have regional and provincial branches and its upper echelons are filled mostly by generals and senior bureaucrats.

Pravit Rojanaphruk

Source: The Nation

Published on December 21, 2007

[Losangels]

Security bill sails through unopposed

The controversial Internal Security Bill was overwhelmingly endorsed by the National Legislative Assembly yesterday with no lawmaker opposing it during two hours of deliberation.

This security bill was meant to pass even before the public debate wasn't it

[ando]

A bill passed by a non elected military dictatorship which seized power at the point of a gun. Wonder what the big rush is? What about a big raise in funding for the military too? Oops forgot. They already passed that one. Restructuring the judiciary and setting up investigative committees aimed at political opponents, -- yep done. Holding the home ground of political opponents under martial law, -- done. A new constitution exonerating the generals from the treasonous act of overthrowing an elected government, yep, -- done too. Political censorship of the electronic media in order to prevent opposing political views reaching the heartland of the political opposition, Yep done too. OK, I guess its time now for elections. May the best party win. And if it doesn't, we can always have another coup to bring back peace and harmony. TIT.

[Gravelrash]

A bill passed by a non elected military dictatorship which seized power at the point of a gun. Wonder what the big rush is? What about a big raise in funding for the military too? Oops forgot. They already passed that one. Restructuring the judiciary and setting up investigative committees aimed at political opponents, -- yep done. Holding the home ground of political opponents under martial law, -- done. A new constitution exonerating the generals from the treasonous act of overthrowing an elected government, yep, -- done too. Political censorship of the electronic media in order to prevent opposing political views reaching the heartland of the political opposition, Yep done too. OK, I guess its time now for elections. May the best party win. And if it doesn't, we can always have another coup to bring back peace and harmony. TIT.

You thing too much! Bad habit here.

[chevykanteve]

A bill passed by a non elected military dictatorship which seized power at the point of a gun. Wonder what the big rush is? What about a big raise in funding for the military too? Oops forgot. They already passed that one. Restructuring the judiciary and setting up investigative committees aimed at political opponents, -- yep done. Holding the home ground of political opponents under martial law, -- done. A new constitution exonerating the generals from the treasonous act of overthrowing an elected government, yep, -- done too. Political censorship of the electronic media in order to prevent opposing political views reaching the heartland of the political opposition, Yep done too. OK, I guess its time now for elections. May the best party win. And if it doesn't, we can always have another coup to bring back peace and harmony. TIT.

Nice to hear comments from someone who has the guts to speak openly on this issue. Good post!

[Ricardo]

If the ISOC Act is so bad for Thailand, and I would tend to agree that it might be, then we can confidently expect the PPP and Samak/Thaksin to rescind it, very shortly after winning the elections. Can't we ?

[marquess]

If the ISOC Act is so bad for Thailand, and I would tend to agree that it might be, then we can confidently expect the PPP and Samak/Thaksin to rescind it, very shortly after winning the elections. Can't we ?

It is bad news for everyone the military should be under the people and not the people under the military! Whoever gets in must rescind this act.