Isa To Impose In Summit Host Districts

[webfact]

ASEAN SUMMIT

ISA to impose in summit host districts

By The Nation

Published on October 3, 2009

The government will impose the Internal Security Act in the hosting districts of the upcoming Asean Summit, as well as in any other areas where it is necessary, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

Abhisit said he expected the Cabinet to consider the matter at its next meeting on Tuesday, adding that the ISA was likely to come into effect on October 15, about a week ahead of the gathering of Asean leaders.

"The format should be similar to that announced ahead of the Phuket meetings," Abhisit said, referring to the ISA imposed during the Asean Regional Forum and related meetings of foreign ministers from Asean states and dialogue partner countries.

The upcoming 15th Asean Summit is scheduled for October 23 to 25 in Phetchaburi's Cha-am district and Prachuap Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district.

The prime minister said the ISA would be imposed in those two districts. When asked if the security law would also be declared for Bangkok, where the red shirts plan their next protest during that period, he said: "It will be imposed anywhere that is necessary".

The leaders of Asean's six dialogue partners - China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand - are also scheduled to attend the summit.

Earlier yesterday, Army commander-in-chief General Anupong Paochinda said the ISA might be imposed from October 12 to 27 in order to facilitate security measures to be implemented during the summit. He said Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan would be in charge of supervising enforcement of the security law.

Caretaker national police chief General Patheep Tanprasert said a special "Asean lane" would be designated in the lanes closest to median traffic islands for vehicles carrying summit participants and media representatives between October 21 and 25.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said that with the ISA being invoked, unauthorised gatherings would be prohibited in the areas as about 10,000 military and police officers would be deployed to ensure there was no disruption.

"I reassure that the Asean Summit will not be forced to cancel as happened in Pattaya [in April]," he said. "This meeting is very important for Thailand and our prime minister will chair the summit for the last time as Asean chair. We must do our best."

-- The Nation 2009/10/03

[Thailand]

Continued use of the ISA for almost every event will certainly detract from it's value although I do accept the importance of upcoming summits and the "face" factor.

Just seems to be implemented at the drop of every hat.

[animatic]

No surprises here,

it is the only strong enough law they have to maintain order without a doubt.

No chance they can expect only 'traffic violations' to continue to suffice.

That it may be considered overly strong, is a side issue,

it is the implemented USE of the law that is the main issue;

HOW they use it's power, which has been with restraint.

After ASEAN/Pattaya, they will take no more chances.

[hammered]

Indeed no surprise and we also live in times of impending big change. I think we are going to increasingly see the mark of the generals firm hand behind many things. They probably are also quite happy at Chavalit reengaing with team Thaksin