Thailand To Extend Security Law For Extra Week

[webfact]

Thailand to extend security law for extra week

BANGKOK (AFP) - Thailand will extend a tough security law, enacted ahead of mass anti-government protests, for an additional week in Bangkok and two other provinces, the deputy prime minister said Monday.

The Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows authorities to set up checkpoints, impose curfews and limit movements, had been enforced across eight provinces since March 11 and was due to expire on March 23.

"I will propose in the cabinet meeting Tuesday to extend the imposition of the ISA for another seven days until March 30... in order to better handle the situation," deputy premier Suthep Thaugsuban told reporters.

He said the law would only be extended in Bangkok and the nearby provinces of Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan, where the country's main airport is located, as the "Red Shirt" protesters enter the second week of their mass rally.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-03-22

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[webfact]

Thai army says officers guarding key sites to be armed

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thai army officers guarding checkpoints, government buildings and military bases during an anti-government rally will be armed from Monday due to recent grenade attacks, an army spokesman said.

"Starting from today, the military deployed at checkpoints, government buildings and military bases will be armed in order to prevent ill-intentioned people from inciting unrest," Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd told reporters.

"Because of the violent incidents in the past, including the (rocket-propelled grenade) attacks, the government is very concerned with the current situation so there is a need to adjust the security measures," he said.

Sunsern said that only army officers at the key locations would be armed. Previously the 30,000 military personnel guarding the protests, which have stretched into their second week, were not armed.

Two small grenade blasts hit Bangkok and a nearby province shortly after tens of thousands of anti-government protesters held a peaceful parade through the capital Saturday. One person was slightly injured but damage was minor.

A week ago, four grenades exploded at a Bangkok military base, wounding two soldiers.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-03-22

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[elcent]

red shirts threaten to carry arms as well then ... 1000 red women to check if the soldiers are armed and if so the red shirts will arm themselves too.

Oh dear

Why no dialog?

Edited March 22, 2010 by elcent

[anotherpeter]

red shits threaten to carry arms as well then ... 1000 red women to check if the soldiers are armed and if so the red shirts will arm themselves too.

Oh dear

Why no dialog?

Why would the "red shits" need to carry arms?

The army need to protect themselves when people start throwing grenades. Since it isn't the red shirts throwing the grenades, the red shirts have nothing to worry about.

[webfact]

Thailand raises stakes against 'Red Shirts'

by Boonradom Chitradon

BANGKOK (AFP) -- Thailand Monday escalated its response to red-shirted protesters as their anti-government rally entered its second week, extending a tough security law and arming military guarding key sites.

The "Red Shirts" loyal to deposed former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, buoyed after staging a carnival-like parade through Bangkok on Saturday, have rejected offers of talks with the government and called for immediate elections.

On Sunday they won more headlines by painting poems, pictures and political slogans on white canvas with remnants of the blood they had donated and had earlier splattered on the prime minister's house and offices.

An army spokesman said the government was "very concerned" after several minor grenade attacks including two small blasts that hit after the Saturday parade, which drew 65,000 people and revived a movement that had begun to wane.

"Starting from today, the military deployed at checkpoints, government buildings and military bases will be armed in order to prevent ill-intentioned people from inciting unrest," Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd told reporters.

Sunsern said that only army officers at the sensitive locations would be supplied with firearms. Previously the 30,000 military personnel deployed for the protests did not carry weapons.

The army spokesman also threatened "decisive action" against demonstrators if they tried to disrupt a cabinet meeting scheduled for Tuesday at a ministry on the outskirts of Bangkok.

Deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban said separately that the government would extend a stringent security law enacted ahead of the mass protests for an additional week in Bangkok and two other provinces.

The Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows authorities to set up checkpoints, impose curfews and limit movement, had been enforced across eight provinces since March 11 and was due to expire on March 23.

Suthep said the extension in Bangkok and two nearby provinces, including one where the nation's main airport is located, would allow authorities "to better handle the situation."

Red Shirts leader Nattawut Saikur was taken aback by the escalation of security measures against a protest movement which has passed off largely peacefully in recent months despite fears of violence.

"The government always says they'll not hurt the people, they'll not attack people. Why do they have to be armed when we demonstrate peacefully?" he told AFP.

The Reds, mainly from Thailand's impoverished rural regions, are calling for fresh elections on claims that current premier Abhisit Vejjajiva's government is illegitimate and backed only by the nation's elite.

They have rejected Abhisit's offer of dialogue with one of his ministers, saying they will only meet with the premier and only to discuss the dissolution of the lower house.

Lertrat Rattanavanich, a senator organising any possible negotiations, warned the deadlock would only inflict further harm on Thailand, which has had its economy and reputation battered by the protests.

"The talks aim to narrow the distance between the government and protesters before reaching the step of talks with the prime minister. It's a pity that the discussions can't be held today because everyone wanted it to happen," he said.

"Even though they couldn't be held today I'm still willing to do it later because a longer protest will cause more damage."

Police said there were 10,000 demonstrators camped out Monday morning at their base in Bangkok's old quarter, down from 45,000 late Sunday, but with numbers certain to swell again in the cool of the evening.

"We guarantee that Abhisit will not get bored," Nattawut said late Sunday when asked about their next step. He said they had "several plans" afoot, without giving further details.

Thaksin, who was deposed in a coup in 2006, still enjoys strong support for the populist policies he introduced when in power.

In what they have dubbed a "class war," the Reds say they are fighting Thailand's elite in bureaucratic, military and palace circles, whom they accuse of ousting elected governments.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-03-22

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Artisi]

No problem, just arrest any person carrying arms that are not licenced to do so with any resistance dealt with in the appropriate manner as you would do with any armed criminal.

The government cannot and should not be dictated to by potential trouble makers.

[webfact]

Government will extend security law for another week

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban will ask the Cabinet to extend the imposition of the Internal Security Act (ISA) for another week in the capital and two adjacent provinces.

The Cabinet will consider extending the ISA, due to expire on Tuesday, for another week, until March 30 in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan where Suvarnabhumi Airport is located.

The weekly Cabinet weekly meeting on Tuesday will move from Government House to the Public Health Ministry in Nonthaburi as the location is far from the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD)'s protest site at Phan Fah Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

The UDD Red Shirts can move to protest there if their gathering complies with the law, the deputy prime minister said. If they break the law, legal action will be taken against them.

Mr Suthep also said patrol officials, police and military deployed to some key points will be armed for safety reasons after more destructive weapons have been recently used by unidentified assailants.

The government on March 9 imposed the ISA in eight provinces, including Bangkok, from March 11-23 to allow officials to control the situation if violence occured during the Red Shirt protest which began March 14.

Mr Suthep heads the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order set up to respond to the Red Shirt anti-government rally.

The decision to arm the government's security personnel followed explosions at the new offices of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Ministry of Defense on Saturday night.

The weapon used in the attack at the Ministry was later reported to be a rocket propelled grenade.(TNA)

-- TNA 2010-03-22

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[harrry]

red shirts threaten to carry arms as well then ... 1000 red women to check if the soldiers are armed and if so the red shirts will arm themselves too.

Oh dear

Why no dialog?

Thougt the red women (or some of them anyway) were more used to short arm checking.

Edited March 22, 2010 by harrry

[harrry]

I think it is time for the laws to be enforced. 400 baht for each motorcyclist without a helmet 400 baht for each person unrestrained in a vehicle. Carrying arms should get the nomal jail time. The motorcylists and drivers breaking traffic rules should have their licence taken and sent to their home town. THeir vehicles should be impounded and towed away with the appropriate charges to be paid. New laws are not needed just the existing ones.

Edited March 22, 2010 by harrry

[Ricardo]

Perhaps we should welcome the news, that the ISA is not being extended for five or six provinces, where it was previously in-force, as a small step in the right direction ?

[Thanh-BKK]

Hi.

I am not convinced that those grenade attacks were carried out by actual red shirt protesters. My guess is that someone (who received money from Thaksin to do so) carried them out in order to start the process of "saber rattling" on both sides - army gets armed, reds get armed, and then - Songkhran is near, anyone remember the same time one year ago?

Let us all hope that the majority of those red shirted people, who are here peacefully and enjoy their party, will be home and safe by the time the ugly stuff starts. And start it will, sad to say but i am sure.

Someone needs to take care for that megalomaniac. How hard is it to keep track of a private jet??

Best regards......

Thanh

[moresomekl]

red shirts threaten to carry arms as well then ... 1000 red women to check if the soldiers are armed and if so the red shirts will arm themselves too.

Oh dear

Why no dialog?

Red women checking if soldiers carry gun ?

What kind of gun are you talking about ?

[Ricardo]

red shirts threaten to carry arms as well then ... 1000 red women to check if the soldiers are armed and if so the red shirts will arm themselves too.

Oh dear

Why no dialog?

Red women checking if soldiers carry gun ?

What kind of gun are you talking about ?

"Is that a grenade-launcher in your pocket,

Or are you just glad to see us".

with apologies.

[morphem]

this Thai government looks more and more like the myanmar military junta

Time for a new general election

[gemini81]

red shirts threaten to carry arms as well then ... 1000 red women to check if the soldiers are armed and if so the red shirts will arm themselves too.

Oh dear

Why no dialog?

trained soldiers carry weapons, thats what soldiers do. If the red shirts have them, they are move of a threat to themselves! (and the population of thailand would be around 100 people...or last man standing.) seriously......

[WinnieTheKhwai]

red shirts threaten to carry arms as well then ... 1000 red women to check if the soldiers are armed and if so the red shirts will arm themselves too.

Oh dear

Why no dialog?

Thougt the red women (or some of them anyway) were more used to short arm checking.

Nice.

Add it to the pile please.

[moresomekl]

red shirts threaten to carry arms as well then ... 1000 red women to check if the soldiers are armed and if so the red shirts will arm themselves too.

Oh dear

Why no dialog?

Red women checking if soldiers carry gun ?

What kind of gun are you talking about ?

"Is that a grenade-launcher in your pocket,

Or are you just glad to see us".

with apologies.

[anotherpeter]

this Thai government looks more and more like the myanmar military junta

Time for a new general election

How exactly does this make them look like Myanmar? The army is being attacked with grenades. Can't they protect themselves?

[Jerrytheyoung]

this Thai government looks more and more like the myanmar military junta

Time for a new general election

How exactly does this make them look like Myanmar? The army is being attacked with grenades. Can't they protect themselves?

Just read in the Nation that some officers are going to be armed. They are named "CAPO". This is obviously a big mistake.....

The short cut with WWII is easy.

The anacronym CAPO was well chosen (!!!); a capo was a guard in the death camps in German occupied territories during WWII. They were the ones that betrayed their own people and led them to the gas chambers...makes you think if any of the elite read history

[yoshiwara]

this Thai government looks more and more like the myanmar military junta

Time for a new general election

How exactly does this make them look like Myanmar? The army is being attacked with grenades. Can't they protect themselves?

Just read in the Nation that some officers are going to be armed. They are named "CAPO". This is obviously a big mistake.....

The short cut with WWII is easy.

The anacronym CAPO was well chosen (!!!); a capo was a guard in the death camps in German occupied territories during WWII. They were the ones that betrayed their own people and led them to the gas chambers...makes you think if any of the elite read history

It is easy in Thaksin's head.

It is therefore easy in your head.

His head has been a little strange lately.

Too bad the State does not give a free pass to the reds.

the security forces have done a good job these last two weeks.

No wonder you and your hero Thaksin are upset.

[mazeltov]

Just read in the Nation that some officers are going to be armed. They are named "CAPO". This is obviously a big mistake.....

The short cut with WWII is easy.

The anacronym CAPO was well chosen (!!!); a capo was a guard in the death camps in German occupied territories during WWII. They were the ones that betrayed their own people and led them to the gas chambers...makes you think if any of the elite read history

it was a 'Kapo' in the camps. and it is pretty much a low argument and low style to come up with.

if you wanna toss a joke on the CAPO just quote The NAtion:

"The authorities will set up the Peace-keeping Operations Command, also known as the government's war room, at the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bangkhen, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban said on Wednesday."