Phuket Enforces Draconian Internal Security Act

[george]

Asean meetings in Phuket: Security Act to be enforced

PHUKET CITY: -- Thailand will enforce its Internal Security Act in Phuket during the upcoming 42nd Asean Ministerial Meeting and related activities to be held at Laguna Phuket July 17 to 23.

Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, who met with other top military brass and local leaders at Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket yesterday, said today that all preparations for the event were fully completed.

Joint military and police units have been directed to work in teams and local residents will assist officials to provide security at the meeting venues, the state-run Thai News Agency quoted him as saying this afternoon.

Gen Prawit said the enforcement of the Internal Security Act, to be effective over the entire meeting period, will help prevent any untoward incident.

The government is desperate to prevent any possible recurrence of the incident in Pattaya over the Songkran holiday, when the Asean summit meetings had to be postponed at the last minute after red-shirted protesters loyal to deposed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra stormed the host venue.

Gen Prawit Wongsuwan said he believed the situation is not worrying, although red-shirt protesters earlier vowed a mass protest if the government didn’t dissolve the House within one month – and the deadline is nearly concurrent with the Asean meeting.

The Internal Security Act will be enforced only on Phuket and will not violate human rights or inconvenience the public, Gen Prawit said.

Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngop, who attended the meeting at Laguna yesterday, said the event will bring in ministers from 21 countries.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to be among the many high-profile figures attending.

The influx of 2,000 members of ministerial entourages and journalists will help revive local tourism and if the regional meetings are successful, the government will confirm Phuket as the venue for the re-scheduled Asean summit in October, Gov Wichai said.

Also attending yesterday’s meeting were Defense Ministry Permanent Secretary Gen Apichart Phenkitti, Army Supreme Commander Supreme Gen Songkitti Jaggabatara, Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda, Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Kamthorn Pumhirun, Air Force Commander-in-Chief ACM Itthaporn Subhawong and Army Chief of Staff Gen Prayut Chanocha.

For a full schedule of the events, including post ministerial conferences and the 16th Asean Regional Forum (ARF), click here.

-- Phuket Gazette 2009-06-30

[h90]

Dont know about Muslim groups but the Mrs reckons that if the reds turn up in Phuket the locals will kill them.

Definitely! Specially as the southis like the Democrats and the anti-monarchy speeches the reds do from time to time....That combination let everyone between 8-80 years old walk in the south.

Beside the regular people there is a pretty strong mafia in Surat and Nakhon, a lot paramilitary, ex communist fighters and a lot weapons around....I hope the red don't even consider to go to Phuket.....

[h90]

The last time Suthep boasted too that the Security was up to world class standards. he was mistaken. He meant to say that the money paid to the forces were up to international standards. He did not told us what happened with the money. Never mind, as long as Suthep is not sacked (how could he, he is the de facto Prime minister) security is never great. He fails in the South, he ruined the tourism industry by asking hotel operators to send in a force to beat the hel_l out of red shirts in pattaya (before they had broken into the summit) and he used the army to shoot on demonstrators instead of using the police. by appointing a minister of foreign affairs who said it was "fun" to block the airports and not prosecuting the culprits of the airport siege he lost all his credibility. Unfortunately credibility in Thai politics is very unimportant, that is why we have brothel owners as commercial ministers, people who sexually assaulted journalists as deputy PM and others who flew around Asia in an aircraft from TAC became in charge of security.

Draconian style is Draconian Thai style, Draconian for some, lackluster for others.

I agree that Suthep should be sacked. But what is even more worrisome is that Suthep might haven't been sacked because he is already the best one they can find (ergo there is no better replacement available).

But what are the alternatives? The Thaksin boys are even worse.

[Texpat]

with the Navy in town this week.

You simply must be American with that attitude.

It may suprise you to know that many countries have navys, so stating 'the navy'

doesn't actually clarify what countries navy is in Thailand.

What attitude?

I have seen at least 5 different Navy's during ports of call.

Plus 2 Tall Ship parade weeks.

Noting that there is an ongoing rather lurid thread about the USA Navy being in Phuket,

it seemed an non-attitude type of comment. Why must I automatically be American

for noting that what sailors do in ports world wide is likely happening in Phuket this week?

And that from the thread several TVF members are avoiding Patong right now, by their own volition.

I saw the USA Navy in Boston's Combat Zone in 1972, and nothing has topped that since.

Russia in NYC '91 came close, but no cigar.

Ausi je vue les marineurs français, a porte du Marseille '94 + Nice '03,

bourée com une quince, avec les nana des rue, et travesti dragée.

Translated: I have also seen the French Sailors in Marseilles port, drunk as skunks,

with street hookers and katoeys in tow.

Ouch. Another clueless Clouseau caught flyin off the handle. Funny.

Edited June 30, 2009 by Texpat

[Datsun240Z]

Dont know about Muslim groups but the Mrs reckons that if the reds turn up in Phuket the locals will kill them.

Definitely! Specially as the southis like the Democrats and the anti-monarchy speeches the reds do from time to time....That combination let everyone between 8-80 years old walk in the south.

Beside the regular people there is a pretty strong mafia in Surat and Nakhon, a lot paramilitary, ex communist fighters and a lot weapons around....I hope the red don't even consider to go to Phuket.....

The media is allready screaming for blood!

Edited June 30, 2009 by Datsun240Z

[rippedoff]

Lets hope the police can do a better job this time. Then the last time in Pattaya.Say goodbye to red and yellow shirts.Red and Yellow I laugh to myself when I say that. Only in Thailand.Rippedoff.

[flamingtodd]

Well i really do not see the point, unless they planning to use this as an excuse to use lethal force.

But 100's if not 1000's of police could not stop the red shirts from breaking into the ASEAN summit in Pattaya, so i really do not see how this law will do the job.

Should 10000 or so of red shirts decide to head over to Phuket, i doubt the law will stop them, as its already been proven that police are useless and only the army in large numbers are capable of doing anything.

I agree. Why not hold the Summit in KL, or S'Pore... Why have it in Phuket? What do they think? The Red Shirts are not going to come?

I have some news for those who feel the checkpoint is a safe gateway to Phuket. This is going to be very bad. If they did it to Pattaya, it will be far easier to do it in Phuket. It is an Island. Once you're on...

There are thousands of ways for the Red Shirts to get on the island without passing through the Gateway.

This will be bad, considering those who blame the gov for the current economy.

This will be fun to watch!

todd

[dude007]

21 provinces surrounding Phuket prepared for ASEAN Summits

BANGKOK, 30 June 2009 (NNT) – 21 provinces will be on 24-hour alert against mobs that may seek to disrupt the ASEAN Summit set for this coming 17 to 23 July 2009 in Phuket province.

Deputy Permanent Secretary for Suthee Makboon this morning chaired a video conference with provincial governors from 21 provinces surrounding Phuket. Mr Suthee iterated the importance of hosting and maintaining security for the upcoming renewed round of the ASEAN +3 and +6 Summits taking place in Phuket next month.

Mr Suthee briefed the governors on security work overseen by Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan. The minister this morning led military personnel to review and prepare security measures for the summit venue.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary asked all 21 provinces to closely monitor the movements of protest groups. He also suggested they prepare equipment necessary for an emergency situation such as fire trucks and generators for any unforeseen complications. On top of safeguarding against disruption, he asked the governors to put up signs welcoming foreign delegates and prepare to host the world leaders attending the event.

-- NNT 30 June 2009

article here

Phuket is an island surrounded by sea. Where are these 21 provinces?

[animatic]

International multi-party state summits are not state secrets.

They are publicly announced by all nations involved.

They are typically held in large facilities with easy and quick access

to emenities and function spaces for multiple use of the delegates etc.

There is nothing particularly special about the Thailand announcements

other than the particular localized threat possibilities.

Edited June 30, 2009 by animatic

[dude007]

Dont know about Muslim groups but the Mrs reckons that if the reds turn up in Phuket the locals will kill them.

Definitely! Specially as the southis like the Democrats and the anti-monarchy speeches the reds do from time to time....That combination let everyone between 8-80 years old walk in the south.

Beside the regular people there is a pretty strong mafia in Surat and Nakhon, a lot paramilitary, ex communist fighters and a lot weapons around....I hope the red don't even consider to go to Phuket.....

The media is allready screaming for blood!

In the light of the appalling verdict of the criminal court in the Thak Bai murder case of 78 innocent citizens being transported by the military murderers like pigs in layers to the military camp, the muslim families from these victims will take any opportunity to take revench on this scandalous justice system! This may be there opportunity....

[onni4me]

What seems funny to me is that something happening in Phuket is not actually covering the security issues in whole Thailand. They might just show up making trouble at the airport...

Suvarnabhumi would be protected as well, if I would be in charge.

On the other hand, if I was the trouble maker...would just stage an airport closure and they would be in deep shit again...

La-la-land, indeed.

[gmac]

hmmm this is really going to bugger the traffic up

Yes you're gonna love it. Their efforts around Pattaya for the last attempt were a complete <deleted> up and that was before the shirts of various colours got involved!

[moskito]

They should do like one of the G8 meetings. Hold the event in some castle/mansion far from the city, some place that is easy to cord off some 1km from the site in question and arrest anyone that tries to go over any fence/barricade.

Or draw a line in the sand and shoot anyone that steps over it, but same-same...

Why they need to put these meetings in a tourist-location...is just beyond me. Or actually, it is not...it's about money.

Dont worry, I guess Mrs. EX President wont go to Patong.

The meetings they do for sure at the Lagoona or some Country Club far away from Tourist Locations. Nothing more happend than the usual traffic stop

when the Mia Noi of some Police Officer is on her way to have seafood somewhere

I which Hillary visits me....she`s still in goooood shape

Hehe, just tried to guess how much our TukTuk Mafia charge HER for a trip :D they took 2000.-Baht for a oneway to Patong from the sailors which were here last week....normal is 300.- and even that is tooooo much.

[hardy1943]

hmmm this is really going to bugger the traffic up

July 16 to 23.

I think this is the time for me to do a little tour to Chang Mai & Chang Rai

What's the weather and the traffic like up that way during this period.

It's either that or dig in deeper here at the beach-head and let the rest of the world go by.

That is why I live in Chiang Rai. Never have to put up with any of this and is always qualm and lovely

does not matter what is going on in the rest of the country. Nothing ever changes up here.

[Datsun240Z]

Gotta love the north!

[oevna]

UMM I SEE WE HAVE A NEW MEXICAN FORUM MEMBER -- TRYING TO WRITE GRINGO ENGLISH - HAD TO READ 3 TIMES TO GET THE GIST OF HIS POST --

I'm hardly a new forum member, and I can be quite inarticulate when I choose to be.

[NanaFoods]

Internal Security Act

Does it mean Phuket can be declared "state of emergency" like Bangkok a few month ago?

What IS the Internal Security Act?

I hope it's 'detention without trail' and any trouble makers can stay behind bars indefinately!

Sounds like the US's unconstitutional "Patriot Act".

[Somtamnication]

As farangs will be targeted by Police / Military checkpoints, it will be a good time to start carrying your passport. This security act will be enforced to the max and that can mean detention until you can prove who you are. I have never carried my passport with me, but I will during those 14 days.

[ChalongBoy]

Phuket's draconian Internal Security Act

Update edit: The cabinet approved the security law at today's cabinet meeting.

PHUKET: -- The Cabinet will today consider a proposal to apply Thailand's Internal Security Act to Phuket during the upcoming Asian ministerial meeting which will be attended by the US Secretary of State.

An informed source said this morning that the Act, if approved, would task the nation's powerful Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), which is chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, with the responsibility and authority to take whatever measures are necessary to ensure security for the meeting.

Implementation would put Phuket under the Act from July 10 to 24.

The Asian foreign ministers' meeting is scheduled to be held from July 16 to 23. It has been postponed twice since red-shirted protesters broke into a nearby building at the aborted initial meeting in Pattaya in April.

The Phuket meeting will be attended by ministers of 26 countries, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Phuket will also host the 42nd Asean Ministerial Meeting, Post Ministerial Conferences, and the 16th Asean Regional Forum (ARF) on Phuket.

The ISOC reasons that imposition of the Internal Security Act is necessary following the Pattaya disaster which tarnished Thailand's image and reputation as well as inflicting severe damage to its economy.

The ISOC is said to believe that an ill-intentioned group, based both inside and outside Thailand, may again try to stage unrest during the meeting, similar to what occured in Pattaya.

If today's Cabinet meeting agrees to impose the Internal Security Act, it will cover Phuket island as well as a radius of five kilometers out to sea.

-- Phuket Gazette 2009-06-30

Wholly unfactuial and perjorative. The lead line wantgs us to believe doom..... Of course there will be extrodonary measures in and extrodnary moment. I would expect those of us who live here welcome a chance to clear the air about our home at a moment when the worlds eyes will be upon us. I can only see drunken, boiviating, sex tourists objecting to possibly putting Phuket back on the touris map. The economy is so bad tghe I gave my maid a raise and she, her 17 years old daughter and the grand daughter now eat a meal here to help with the family budget!

How about this

Phuket readies to show the world we are safe!

the Phuket Gov has declaire the use of exceptional measures set forth b the PM and will do his upmost to protect the political event and most certainly enhance Phukets image. READ THAT AS TO WHAT IS THE PROPER LIGHT TO BE SHOWN ON THE PHUKET GOV AND HIS COURAGE TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT, PHUKET, MY HOME, IS A GOOD PLACE A SAFE FROM TERRORISTS!

Just thinks, is someone could set the call to prayer on constent run possibly the terrorists would be pre-occupied

Cngrats to the Gov for a great decission! I will be proud to give all the extra security a thumbs up as a pass by them on the road!

[frogz]

Internal Security Act

Does it mean Phuket can be declared "state of emergency" like Bangkok a few month ago?

What IS the Internal Security Act?

I hope it's 'detention without trail' and any trouble makers can stay behind bars indefinately!

Although I agree with the government taking measures to protect delegates coming to Thailand from other countries, I do feel that this is another example of the current government suppressing the right for certain disgruntled parties from expressing themselves on a world stage. It's funny that the Internal Security Act - whatever that is - or similar measures weren't used when the airports were beseiged. I still haven't seen 'detention without trail' and those trouble makers put behind bars indefinately and never will.

As someone has already stated, these confrences should be held in a private place with a 1KM security zone. Better still, hold them in another country and save yourself the controversy.

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

If the red shirts show up the BIB can do what they do best. Fine each one of them 500baht, that will get rid of them.

[jackr]

I think this is the time for me to do a little tour to Chang Mai & Chang Rai

What's the weather and the traffic like up that way during this period.

Crap.

[yuyi]

I think this is the time for me to do a little tour to Chang Mai & Chang Rai

What's the weather and the traffic like up that way during this period.

Crap.

yeah, once again there is so much crap posted in this thread, it is unbelievable.

[jackr]

The weather is crap. Thought I was being helpful.

Edited July 1, 2009 by jackr

[vanalli]

None of those stories really say what the Internal Security Act is. That would help, probably. And Draconian? Come on.

[sedeflonga]

Finaly something is done here. Let's see what will happen next...

[Slaughterhouse]

Internal Security Act

Does it mean Phuket can be declared "state of emergency" like Bangkok a few month ago?

What IS the Internal Security Act?

Doesn't matter what the act says or what any law says for that manner. Like the old bugger Trink would say TIT. The government will do what it feels like doing when it feels like doing it.

Keep your head down to keep your PR status or long term visa.

Then again we don't need another Pattaya fiasco, letting idiots break windows at the hotel. I guess you can say the people have brought this on themselves.

TIT

[baht&sold]

I've got a better idea. Why don't they convene the stupid meeting in some isolated place so that the lives of the ordinary citizenry are not disrupted?

Holding a whole city to ransom to stroke the egos of a few politicians and their flunkies is about as inconsiderate as you can get and has no real benefit to anyone.

An even BETTER idea? Substitute the words 'stupid meeting' with 'whinging expats'...

Here's wishing Phuket SUCCESS with the upcoming meeting- and well done taking (unfortunately necessary) precautions to that end.

[slimdog]

None of those stories really say what the Internal Security Act is. That would help, probably. And Draconian? Come on.

The draft of the ISOC act can be found at:

http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala/wp...translation.pdf

[poldebol]

You simply must be American with that attitude. It may suprise you to know that many countries have navys, so stating 'the navy' doesn't actually clarify what countries navy is in Thailand.

Luxemburg Navy?