Thailand to impose security law for Thaksin protests

[george]

Thailand to impose security law for Thaksin protests

BANGKOK: -- A meeting of the government-appointed security monitoring committee chaired by deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban today concluded to recommend to the Thai cabinet to implement the Internal Security Act (ISA) for Bangkok between March 11 through to March 23.

The recommendation follows an announcement by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva that he had cancelled a five day trip to Australia scheduled to take place between March March 13 and 17.

Sean Boonpracong, international media spokesman for the UDD, said the implementation of the ISA will be a gross over reaction by the government and totally unwarranted.

“Thai people should be free to travel within their own country and while most Thais will see the implementation of the ISA as a violation of their basic human rights, they are not scared of it and will continue to travel to Bangkok for the rally.

“There has been a large number of redshirt rallies over the past 10 months and all of them have been violence free. The government is constantly dragging out the ISA in an attempt to paint a negative picture of the redshirt movement and on each occasion it has been implemented in the last 10 months there has not been a single incident to justify its implementation”, he added.

The following powers are among those which the Army Commander-in-Chief, in his capacity as the Director of ISOC, is able to exercise:

1. Take command of "state agencies" – which, undefined and unlimited, may in effect mean the full civil service apparatus [Article 24];

2. Impose restrictions on freedom of movement, assembly and information [Articles 25(2), 25(3) and 25(6)];

3. Order "the use of military force" in accordance with Martial law [Article 25(8)];

4. Arrest and detain a person, on the basis of a court warrant, for seven days initially, with extensions of up to 30 days in total [Article 26(1)];

5.” Suppress” groups, individual and organizations perceived by him as posing a threat to national security [Article 26(2)];

6. Compel any person to issue statements; appear in person or hand in "any documents or evidence" [Article 26(3)];

7. Search individuals, vehicles and buildings [Articles 26(4)] – while this section states that such searches must be carried out according to the Criminal Procedure Code, under the terms of which court authorisation is usually necessary, there is no clear statement in this Act that a court warrant is required;

8. Enter and search homes [Article 26(5)] – the terms of this section are contradictory and appear to suggest that such searches generally do not require a court warrant;

9. Seize or freeze assets, document or other evidence [Article 26(6)]

10. Order the "training at a special location" of suspects, in lieu of pressing charges against them, for up to six months (Article 31) – such training apparently requires the "consent" of the suspect, but with the threat of criminal procedures as alternative, the voluntariness of consent to such "training" is doubtful. In the absence of freely given consent, such training is therefore likely to amount to arbitrary detention.

Unless otherwise stated, none of the above provisions requires court authorisation for the powers to be exercised.

Generally speaking, Thailand’s ISA gives the Director of ISOC almost limitless powers in respect to Freedom of movement, assembly, arbitrary detention, the right to fair trial procedures, and the right to privacy.

-- thaivisa.com 2010-03-08

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[Jingthing]

It is needed. Well done.

[hammered]

Tensions rise. I just hope when this is all over the Thai people get what they want.

[Sparkles]

Tensions rise. I just hope when this is all over the Thai people get what they want.

Half will , half wont ,therin lies the problem which will not go away with one protest no matter how big.

[99BigLad99]

not a good time to be travelling then

[londonthai]

"10. Order the "training at a special location" of suspects, in lieu of pressing charges against them, for up to six months (Article 31) – such training apparently requires the "consent" of the suspect, but with the threat of criminal procedures as alternative, the voluntariness of consent to such "training" is doubtful. In the absence of freely given consent, such training is therefore likely to amount to arbitrary detention.

Unless otherwise stated, none of the above provisions requires court authorisation for the powers to be exercised."

this is an imprisonment without a charge and without the court - just an administrative decision. No much less than "prisoner of war"

[ramsesxix]

Tensions rise. I just hope when this is all over the Thai people get what they want.

Which is?

[Murf]

Surely this must weaken the Baht!!!!

[wileycoyote]

Batten down the hatches ,and it will be OK !

[Theyreallrubbish]

I'm guessing that this will mostly affect Bangkok and those of us outside Bangkok will just see a few extra road blocks.

I can only imagine that the police themselves won't be too keen to implement this in pro-Taksin areas such as Chiang Mai and Issan.

I wonder if this will prompt foreign countries to again recommend their citizens to avoid Thailand

[webfact]

Thailand to impose security law for Thaksin protests

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand's government said Monday it plans to invoke a harsh security act allowing the military to deal with mass rallies this weekend by supporters of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Authorities have warned of possible violence when the so-called "Red Shirts" gather in Bangkok on March 14, just over two weeks after a court sparked anger by seizing 1.4 billion dollars of Thaksin's fortune.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he would ask the cabinet on Tuesday to invoke the Internal Security Act, which permits the army to help the police and gives the authorities powers to impose curfews and ban gatherings.

He said the law would be enforced across Bangkok and in some districts of nearby provinces from March 11 to 23, "for the safety of the people from unexpected incidents".

The decision came following a meeting with security agencies on Monday morning, after intelligence reports indicated threats of violence from protesters, Suthep said.

Senior Reds insist they will protest peacefully, but Suthep said the maximum level of security forces would be deployed as the government was not confident protest leaders could control the movement, which contains several factions.

It promises to be the biggest rally since last April, when up to 100,000 Red Shirts protested against current prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and ensuing riots left two people dead and derailed a major Asian summit.

The Reds have held a string of protests since another court decision removed Thaksin's allies from government and brought Abhisit to power in December 2008, after a blockade of Bangkok's airports by rival, royalist "Yellow Shirts".

Thaksin was toppled in a coup in 2006 and is living in exile, mainly in Dubai, to avoid a two-year jail sentence for graft imposed in absentia. He has vowed to fight the confiscation of his wealth.

The country remains deeply divided between the largely Thaksin-loving Reds, mainly from rural areas, and the Yellows, who view Thaksin as corrupt and are backed by the Bangkok-based elites.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-03-08

Published with written approval from AFP.

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[Trebelone]

It is needed. Well done.

Stop talking rubbish, this is thailand and the thai,s have a right to demonstrate how they chose fit,this is one sure way of over reaction, when will us farang just keep our mouths shut and mind our own business,

[Changian]

So, as the Commander of ISOC is the Army C-in-C and can pretty much do what he wants under the erms of the ISA.

Would it technically be a coup if the army decided they liked these powers that were voluntarily handed to them by the government and for the sake of the country decided to prolong their stay in charge, thus postponing any elections due in the next year or so?

[snip]

[elcent]

what about media censorship? Why is this not mentioned?

[wade72]

It is needed. Well done.

Stop talking rubbish, this is thailand and the thai,s have a right to demonstrate how they chose fit,this is one sure way of over reaction, when will us farang just keep our mouths shut and mind our own business,

For many of us it is our business, farang or not, as it affects our business.

[BOS2BKK]

Tensions rise. I just hope when this is all over the Thai people get what they want.

Half will , half wont ,therin lies the problem which will not go away with one protest no matter how big.

I think it is more like 1/5th (the well connected MIB and government insiders) will get what they want, and 4/5ths will go away wondering why they bothered to vote in any of the several revoked elections.

[Callanbkk]

Surely this must weaken the Baht!!!!

I thought that too man, it never seems to budge!

[rainman]

Democracy is dead in Thailand. Long live Military Dictatorship.

[Fatboysrule]

My father used to say, "people get the governments they deserve". Now I see the proof!

[moo9]

It is needed. Well done.

Stop talking rubbish, this is thailand and the thai,s have a right to demonstrate how they chose fit,this is one sure way of over reaction, when will us farang just keep our mouths shut and mind our own business,

After the last years protests in Pattaya (ASEAN summit) and the attacks on the PM, this decision can be justified.

Edited March 8, 2010 by moo9

[dick turpin]

dam_n it, Ive got a manicure booked for the 12th.

[granuaile]

"10. Order the "training at a special location" of suspects, in lieu of pressing charges against them, for up to six months (Article 31) – such training apparently requires the "consent" of the suspect, but with the threat of criminal procedures as alternative, the voluntariness of consent to such "training" is doubtful. In the absence of freely given consent, such training is therefore likely to amount to arbitrary detention.

Unless otherwise stated, none of the above provisions requires court authorisation for the powers to be exercised."

this is an imprisonment without a charge and without the court - just an administrative decision. No much less than "prisoner of war"

Actually it is presented as an option the way i read it, since they apparently can opt for the courts and take their chances there.

[PattayaParent]

what about media censorship? Why is this not mentioned?

Because they're only talking of implementing NEW measures, not old ones that have been in effect for years already.

[TerraPosse]

It is needed. Well done.

Stop talking rubbish, this is thailand and the thai,s have a right to demonstrate how they chose fit,this is one sure way of over reaction, when will us farang just keep our mouths shut and mind our own business,

No reasonable government in the world would sit back and allow free rein to a violent terrorist movement massing in their capital. If you actually believe the red shirts are a peaceful movement, I would agree with you. However, I think the proof is overwhelming that they are a violent movement willing to do anything to achieve their goals. That is simply not acceptable.

Some people would do well refraining to label everyone who disagrees with them (and their idea of an ideal retirement destination) a terrorist or terrorist movement.  Gosh, would some of those here frothing about get a grip. 

If your inflationary use of the word terrorist is applied to everyone opposing those in power then by heck count me in as well. 

Some of the posters on here are really a spin doctors dream come true as far as keeping people in fear, divisions and servitude.  This announcement is a complete over-reaction by the government (and probably on the orders of the military).  If, as many on here seem to suggest, the many of this country are held to ransom by the few than there is an easy way to settle the argument once and for all...at the ballot box.

Ohh, hang on...

[Xonax]

Tensions rise. I just hope when this is all over the Thai people get what they want.

Half will , half wont ,therin lies the problem which will not go away with one protest no matter how big.

Unfortunately this is the disadvantage of democracy, and clearly shows that democracy is not always a good thing. Cooperation would work much better, than totally leaving the opposition without influence.

[SiriusBlack1]

Democracy is dead in Thailand. Long live Military Dictatorship.

For now it is. For now...

[vedantafx]

You would think it would, and under normal circumstances it would, however markets are more focused on the bigger issues which is the rising chance of sovereign defaults. Greece has already defaulted defacto. The markets will soon turn their attention to the rest of the PIIGS, Spain, Portugal etc etc and this wll further undermine the Euro. The GBP is not much better and the market has started to focus on this also. At least Thailand has a sound banking system, and government debt is nothing to worry about.

Surely this must weaken the Baht!!!!

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Sad. ISA is essentialy "martial law in a particular area." Guess they don't have much faith in the police to deal with protests, like police manages to do in almost any other country in the world.

[granuaile]

It is needed. Well done.

Stop talking rubbish, this is thailand and the thai,s have a right to demonstrate how they chose fit,this is one sure way of over reaction, when will us farang just keep our mouths shut and mind our own business,

No reasonable government in the world would sit back and allow free rein to a violent terrorist movement massing in their capital. If you actually believe the red shirts are a peaceful movement, I would agree with you. However, I think the proof is overwhelming that they are a violent movement willing to do anything to achieve their goals. That is simply not acceptable.

Certainly given what happened last year the penchant for violence by at least some factions would make this decision prudent at the least. I would hope the government would not sit back and allow the blockading of roads, attacks on residents of Bangkok, and attempts at exploding trucks full of gasoline in residential areas, not to mention the threats made by prominent members of the red shirt movement and actual terrorist acts involving explosives in Bangkok.

[brianb1944]

It is needed. Well done.

Stop talking rubbish, this is thailand and the thai,s have a right to demonstrate how they chose fit,this is one sure way of over reaction, when will us farang just keep our mouths shut and mind our own business,

Take your own advice you are expressing opinions about Thais with some force here.