Thailand To Lift Emergency Rule In Bangkok

[webfact]

Thailand to lift emergency rule in Bangkok

by Boonradom Chitradon

BANGKOK, December 21, 2010 (AFP) - Thailand on Tuesday said it would lift a state of emergency in Bangkok and three neighbouring areas, seven months after a bloody military crackdown on anti-government "Red Shirt" protests.

"The state of emergency will be lifted tomorrow and we will return to normal law," said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The controversial laws were introduced in the capital in early April in response to mass rallies by the Red Shirts that ultimately left more than 90 people dead in clashes between demonstrators and the army.

Thailand's decision to end emergency rule comes as the Reds have promised to step up a new wave of street rallies, with meetings in the capital twice a month.

Despite provisions in the emergency law banning gatherings of more than five people, a demonstration on December 19 marking seven months since the crackdown on the protests attracted around 10,000 people.

But government spokesman Suphachai Jaismut said the current situation was peaceful and the government did not expect a resurgence of unrest in the near future.

"The political rallies recently were more symbolic, the Red Shirts have learned their lesson after they used violence," he said.

Another government spokesman, Panitan Wattanayagorn, warned emergency rule could be reimposed if existing security measures were deemed insufficient.

The government has come under pressure from the United States and rights groups to roll back the emergency powers to help the country recover from bloody civil violence that has left it deeply divided.

The mainly poor and working class Reds accuse the government of being an undemocratic elite and were campaigning for immediate elections.

Most of their leaders are now in jail facing terrorism charges or in hiding.

At one point about one-third of the country was under the state of emergency, which gives security forces the right to detain suspects for 30 days without charge.

Authorities have also used their emergency powers to arrest hundreds of suspects and silence anti-government media.

The laws have already been revoked in many areas but were maintained in the capital as well the provinces of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan in the light of a series of mostly minor bomb blasts. Emergency rule in these areas will be lifted from Wednesday.

Sunai Phasuk, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, said the decision to lift the emergency decree was "long overdue".

"When we look at the consequences of the state of emergency, so much damage has been done to human rights in Thailand, to the rule of law," he said.

The kingdom will now use its Internal Security Act (ISA), but Sunai said this was also "rights violating", although less so than the state of emergency, and the government should explain why special security rules were needed.

The two-month rally by the Reds attracted up to 100,000 people demanding snap elections.

After the May crackdown a small group of hardcore protesters set dozens of major buildings ablaze in the heart of Bangkok, including a shopping mall and the stock exchange.

The Red Shirts' new head, Thida Thavornseth, whose husband Weng Tojirakarn is one of the group's leaders detained on terrorism charges, has said the Reds would intensify their campaign to secure the release of senior figures.

The retired microbiology lecturer told AFP in a recent interview she wanted the democracy movement to be peaceful and "use brains".

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-12-21

[SweeneyAgonistes]

I think replacing emergency rule with the ISA would be a more honest description, wouldn't it?

[webfact]

URGENT: Cabinet Lifts State of Emergency Tomorrow

Cabinet has decided to approve the lifting of the state of emergency for Bangkok and the 3 surrounding provinces of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakarn tomorrow. The Internal Security Act will be used in its place.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-21

[whybother]

I think replacing emergency rule with the ISA would be a more honest description, wouldn't it?

URGENT: Cabinet Lifts State of Emergency Tomorrow

Cabinet has decided to approve the lifting of the state of emergency for Bangkok and the 3 surrounding provinces of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakarn tomorrow. The Internal Security Act will be used in its place.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-21

There you go.

[Northman061]

The headline should read, The MILITARY have decided to hand over MILITARY control of Thailand from the short term CRES to the indefinate MILITARY ISA.

Just so everyone is clear on this, yes, even those who think the current PM is a "good man" and is doing a "good job", those who feel that the "Reds" are the new and only threat to Thailands security, and those who think, "well we are all safe with the ARMY in control" etc etc

Do not forget, ALL Democratic states that allow the MILITARY to act and take over CIVIL POLICING, even in part, simply grows use to their presence and slowly the grip tightens, and suddenly.......well you know how it always ends.

The ISA (Itself something that violates ALL Democratic priciples in that the civil Government cannot overturn the Militaries decisions and actions whilst using the ISA) in part states;

Article 17, allowing the ISOC director to take command of STATE AGENCIES by “issuing a notification commanding state officials not to perform any act or to perform any act” to the extent that this is necessary for preventing, suppressing, stopping, and rectifying any situation that affects internal security.

The ARMY can ARREST and JAIL YOU IF IT DECIDES you are doing "something" IT FEELS relates to Article 17!! This is a blank check to override all laws and human rights protections.

Article 18, allowing the ISOC director and designated officials to undertake criminal investigators WITHOUT PROVIDING ANY SAFEGAURDS OR JUDICIAL OVERSIGHT of summons, arrests and DETENTIONS!!!!

Among other due process concerns, this heightens the risk of torture and other mistreatment of individuals in custody or while under interrogation and abuse on people/parties not in agreement with Military views.

Article 19, allowing the ISOC director and designated officials to act as criminal investigation officials and have powers similar to those of public prosecutors and JUDGES.

They are given the authority to sentence any person found involved in a threat to internal security for up to six months without right of council, court, jury and IMMUNITY TO THE MILITARY FOR THEIR ACTIONS!!

All the independent International "watch" groups state that Thailand now has more restrictions on information, state obseveration (both open and covert) of the people and is more militaristic than even under Thaksin.

Thailand is now under clear and definate Military rule...........................................The PM should be proud!

[Just1Voice]

Sawadee Kahp! Welcome to Thianmar.

[dude007]

I think replacing emergency rule with the ISA would be a more honest description, wouldn't it?

URGENT: Cabinet Lifts State of Emergency Tomorrow

Cabinet has decided to approve the lifting of the state of emergency for Bangkok and the 3 surrounding provinces of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakarn tomorrow. The Internal Security Act will be used in its place.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-21

There you go.

Cleverly done again by the ruling government.

[webfact]

Thailand to lift state of emergency in capital, surrounding provinces

BANGKOK, Dec 21 - The Thai Cabinet on Tuesday agreed to lift a state of emergency in Bangkok and three surrounding provinces, effective on Wednesday, government spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said.

The decision was made seven months after the mass protest of the Red Shirts ended on May 19 following armed clashes between government security forces and the anti-government protesters in Bangkok's key business district of Ratchaprasong, forcing the Reds to end their protest.

The Cabinet agreed to lift the State of Emergency provided that the current security situation no longer warrants the special law.

The State of Emergency was imposed on April 7 in Bangkok and 23 other provinces to enable the authorities to maintain law and order after the anti-government Red Shirt rallies turned violent in April. It was lifted in 20 provinces but remained in force in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan and Pathum Thani before being lifted today.

Ninety-one people were killed and around 1,800 others were injured during clashes between the Red Shirts and security forces during 10 weeks of demonstrations from March until mid-May. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-12-21

[tigermonkey]

I think replacing emergency rule with the ISA would be a more honest description, wouldn't it?

URGENT: Cabinet Lifts State of Emergency Tomorrow

Cabinet has decided to approve the lifting of the state of emergency for Bangkok and the 3 surrounding provinces of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Samut Prakarn tomorrow. The Internal Security Act will be used in its place.

-- Tan Network 2010-12-21

There you go.

Cleverly done again by the ruling government.

Yes, very cleverly done ! The stage is now set for the government to call a 'free' election in the spring.

Of course, the election will be under the benevolent direction of the military, who will ensure that all freedoms of expression, which they deem appropriate, can be exercised.

Didn't we already do this in the last election ?

Edited December 21, 2010 by tigermonkey

[rwhoov]

To change the perspective a bit:

"The Red Shirts' new head, Thida Thavornseth, whose husband Weng Tojirakarn is one of the group's leaders detained on terrorism charges, has said the Reds would intensify their campaign to secure the release of senior figures."

Sorry, but their leaders acted totally irresponsibly and, in my view, abandoned the very people they were supposed to represent, yet it seems the focus of the red shirts now is going to be freeing those same leaders instead of working for "democracy." Is it all about grabbing power? Sadly so, it seems.

[webfact]

EMERGENCY LAWS

State of Emergency lifted in Bangkok

By The Nation

The Cabinet on Tuesday lifted a state of emergency in Bangkok and three surrounding provinces, effective on Wednesday, government spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said.

The decision was made seven months after the red shirts protest ended on May 19 following armed clashes between government security forces and the protesters.

The protesters were turned violent and burnt down many landmark places including CentralWorld Shopping Complex in April.

The state was imposed on April 7 in Bangkok and 23 other provinces to enable the authorities to maintain law and order. It was lifted in 20 provinces but remained in force in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan and Pathum Thani before being lifted today.

Ninety-one people were killed and around 1,800 others were injured during the clashes.

The spokesman said the cabinet agreed to lift the state of emergency as the current security situation no longer warrants the special law.

-- The Nation 2010-12-21

[monkfish]

Exelent!!

My favorite video channel vimeo.com is also back online.!!

[dumpling]

same same but different

[bkkmatt]

Here are some extracts from the Human Rights Watch website about Thailand's ISA.....

By introducing the Internal Security Act, the military-installed government will leave Thailand in an environment prone to abuses and the arbitrary use of power.

Thailand’s Internal Security Act (ISA) would allow the military unprecedented powers.

This is a blank check to override all laws and human rights protections.

The ISA is a broad and shocking assertion of unchecked governmental powers that are more reminiscent of totalitarian regimes than a democracy.

2011 could be another bumpy ride for Bangkok, Thailand and of course for Democracy. The next Red Shirt protest on the 10th January will be interesting to see how it's managed by security forces.

[whybother]

Here are some extracts from the Human Rights Watch website about Thailand's ISA.....

By introducing the Internal Security Act, the military-installed government will leave Thailand in an environment prone to abuses and the arbitrary use of power.

Thailand's Internal Security Act (ISA) would allow the military unprecedented powers.

This is a blank check to override all laws and human rights protections.

The ISA is a broad and shocking assertion of unchecked governmental powers that are more reminiscent of totalitarian regimes than a democracy.

2011 could be another bumpy ride for Bangkok, Thailand and of course for Democracy. The next Red Shirt protest on the 10th January will be interesting to see how it's managed by security forces.

Is "military-installed government" your editorial, because I couldn't find it on the website. Do you have a link?

edit: oh ... I found it. It was an article from 2007: http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2007/11/04/thailand-internal-security-act-threatens-democracy-and-human-rights

Edited December 21, 2010 by whybother

[Deeral]

A step backwards - Just one more nail in the coffin of democracy

[sirchai]

I think replacing emergency rule with the ISA would be a more honest description, wouldn't it?

Did they feed them all with Somtham Laos style????

[givenall]

I think replacing emergency rule with the ISA would be a more honest description, wouldn't it?

Personally I did not like the way the Red Shirt expressed themselves during last April. They acted like gang of thugs for heir, so I believe government should do whatever it takes to keep them under control

[phiphidon]

Here are some extracts from the Human Rights Watch website about Thailand's ISA.....

By introducing the Internal Security Act, the military-installed government will leave Thailand in an environment prone to abuses and the arbitrary use of power.

Thailand's Internal Security Act (ISA) would allow the military unprecedented powers.

This is a blank check to override all laws and human rights protections.

The ISA is a broad and shocking assertion of unchecked governmental powers that are more reminiscent of totalitarian regimes than a democracy.

2011 could be another bumpy ride for Bangkok, Thailand and of course for Democracy. The next Red Shirt protest on the 10th January will be interesting to see how it's managed by security forces.

Is "military-installed government" your editorial, because I couldn't find it on the website. Do you have a link?

edit: oh ... I found it. It was an article from 2007: http://www.hrw.org/e...nd-human-rights

Perhaps you'd like something more up to date from the February 2010 report of the International Commission of Jurists. Not withstanding the issue of a military-installed governement, the ICJ have similar concerns about the possible abuse of power. They do not denounce the ISA outright but proposes amendments and safeguards in accordance with Thailands' international law commitments. Their 3 primary concerns being:

"1. that many definitions and provisions are vague and overbroad, potentially criminalising a wide range of behaviours that pose no security threat;

2. that fundamental rights are at risk of being violated, especially related to liberty and security of the person, fair trial and due process,and freedom of movement, association and expression;

and,

3. that sweeping powers granted to security forces risk undermining the principle of civilian authority that is at the heart of democratic governance.

Given the historical fragility of Thailand's rule of law institutions, in particular the frequency of constitutional change and military interventions in politics, these concerns are not abstract or illusory. The report

therefore concludes with a set of specific recommendations, including proposed amendments to the ISA aimed at ensuringthat Thailand is able to maintain internal security while also protecting human rights".

This is from their Executive Summary Overview - the report itself is 205 pages.

For interests sake the ISA was invoked by the Cabinet on 7 different occasions in the 2nd half of 2009 alone.

Edited December 21, 2010 by phiphidon

[Buchholz]

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-12-21

The headline should read

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[Siam Simon]

Abhisit quietly straightened ISOC out over the Rohingya disgrace (whilst bravely taking all their loss of face squarely on his own chin in the international media's inquisitions). We can only hope he is able to exert similar control over those wild west cowboys wrt to any issues that may crop up in the de-CRES'd regions.

[dai ru55]

A step backwards - Just one more nail in the coffin of democracy

Democracy? What is that? No country in the world has democracy... it is simply a word used to fool the public.

[whybother]

Is "military-installed government" your editorial, because I couldn't find it on the website. Do you have a link?

edit: oh ... I found it. It was an article from 2007: http://www.hrw.org/e...nd-human-rights

Perhaps you'd like something more up to date from the February 2010 report of the International Commission of Jurists. Not withstanding the issue of a military-installed governement, the ICJ have similar concerns about the possible abuse of power. They do not denounce the ISA outright but proposes amendments and safeguards in accordance with Thailands' international law commitments. Their 3 primary concerns being:

"1. that many definitions and provisions are vague and overbroad, potentially criminalising a wide range of behaviours that pose no security threat;

2. that fundamental rights are at risk of being violated, especially related to liberty and security of the person, fair trial and due process,and freedom of movement, association and expression;

and,

3. that sweeping powers granted to security forces risk undermining the principle of civilian authority that is at the heart of democratic governance.

Given the historical fragility of Thailand's rule of law institutions, in particular the frequency of constitutional change and military interventions in politics, these concerns are not abstract or illusory. The report

therefore concludes with a set of specific recommendations, including proposed amendments to the ISA aimed at ensuringthat Thailand is able to maintain internal security while also protecting human rights".

This is from their Executive Summary Overview - the report itself is 205 pages.

For interests sake the ISA was invoked by the Cabinet on 7 different occasions in the 2nd half of 2009 alone.

"Not withstanding the issue of a military-installed government" ... that is a key point, since they were referring to the coup installed government, not the current Abhisit government.

As far as the ISA is concerned, doesn't the US have similar laws to call in the army in special circumstances? Maybe that's only in the movies.

7 different occasions ... and the world didn't end?

It is a law that can be used if the situation warrants it. What did we get while the SOE was in force? A flip-flop seller arrested b y police, when it shouldn't have been applied anyway?

Overall, I'm not saying the ISA is a good thing. But the police are not skilled (or trusted) to handle violent protests and riots, so in Thailand the army sometimes need to be used. Sure it could do with some fixing, as so many other things in Thailand could.

[Siam Simon]

cut// Overall, I'm not saying the ISA is a good thing. But the police are not skilled (or trusted) to handle violent protests and riots, so in Thailand the army sometimes need to be used. Sure it could do with some fixing, as so many other things in Thailand could.

And ISOC proved themselves to be at least as equally unskilled (or trusted) to deal with problem issues with their handling of the Rohingya problem. It makes one quake in the boots at how they would handle a genuinely major problem.

[webfact]

Related topic - Dec 22

ISOC to take over security in Bangkok from today

Follow this link:

[whybother]

cut// Overall, I'm not saying the ISA is a good thing. But the police are not skilled (or trusted) to handle violent protests and riots, so in Thailand the army sometimes need to be used. Sure it could do with some fixing, as so many other things in Thailand could.

And ISOC proved themselves to be at least as equally unskilled (or trusted) to deal with problem issues with their handling of the Rohingya problem. It makes one quake in the boots at how they would handle a genuinely major problem.

Didn't we just have a long conversation about you complaining about modifying posts ... and there you go and modify my post!!

Sorry. What has ISOC or the ISA got to do with Rohingya? (It may have ... but it escapes me).

[Siam Simon]

cut// Overall, I'm not saying the ISA is a good thing. But the police are not skilled (or trusted) to handle violent protests and riots, so in Thailand the army sometimes need to be used. Sure it could do with some fixing, as so many other things in Thailand could.

And ISOC proved themselves to be at least as equally unskilled (or trusted) to deal with problem issues with their handling of the Rohingya problem. It makes one quake in the boots at how they would handle a genuinely major problem.

Didn't we just have a long conversation about you complaining about modifying posts ... and there you go and modify my post!!

Sorry. What has ISOC or the ISA got to do with Rohingya? (It may have ... but it escapes me).

That's why I put a "cut" mark in to show that I was quoting the pertinent part of your post. You do something similar, and I don't have a problem with you doing it. Changing font is a different kettle of fish. Another poster was recently severely chastised by a mod for doing this. But you addressed your mistake yourself, and hopefully you'll take your own advice from now on.

ISOC intercepted the Rohingya sailings in past years and were responsible for towing the Rohingya boats out to sea after smashing their motors and casting them adrift, sometimes after a bit of minor thuggery in front of foreign tourists on the beaches where the Rohingya were being held. ISOC is still in charge of this program, but Abhisit has made future good behaviour on their part on this issue one of his policies. But I doubt I'm telling you anything you don't already know, am I Plus?

[Deeral]

A step backwards - Just one more nail in the coffin of democracy

Democracy? What is that? No country in the world has democracy... it is simply a word used to fool the public.

A particularly glib and facile comment.

If you are trying to look clever you have achieved the opposite.If you have a point to make in relation to the topic, I'd say you've failed tere too.

So....what is the pint you are tryng to make?

That you are a cynic?You don't know anything about the topic but thought you'd post anyway?

give me a clue!

[whybother]

That's why I put a "cut" mark in to show that I was quoting the pertinent part of your post. You do something similar, and I don't have a problem with you doing it. Changing font is a different kettle of fish. Another poster was recently severely chastised by a mod for doing this. But you addressed your mistake yourself, and hopefully you'll take your own advice from now on.

ISOC intercepted the Rohingya sailings in past years and were responsible for towing the Rohingya boats out to sea after smashing their motors and casting them adrift, sometimes after a bit of minor thuggery in front of foreign tourists on the beaches where the Rohingya were being held. ISOC is still in charge of this program, but Abhisit has made future good behaviour on their part on this issue one of his policies. But I doubt I'm telling you anything you don't already know, am I Plus?

You complain about modifying quotes. And you modify quotes.

I modified your quote to highlight which part I was responding to. You modified my quote to highlight which part you were responding to.

Neither of us changed the meaning of the quotes. You complained. I didn't.

I still don't understand why you are referring to me as "Plus". Can I start referring to you as Nazi -- Siam Simon = SS = Nazi ??

Thanks for the info on ISOC. I'll research that a bit more.

[Siam Simon]

That's why I put a "cut" mark in to show that I was quoting the pertinent part of your post. You do something similar, and I don't have a problem with you doing it. Changing font is a different kettle of fish. Another poster was recently severely chastised by a mod for doing this. But you addressed your mistake yourself, and hopefully you'll take your own advice from now on.

ISOC intercepted the Rohingya sailings in past years and were responsible for towing the Rohingya boats out to sea after smashing their motors and casting them adrift, sometimes after a bit of minor thuggery in front of foreign tourists on the beaches where the Rohingya were being held. ISOC is still in charge of this program, but Abhisit has made future good behaviour on their part on this issue one of his policies. But I doubt I'm telling you anything you don't already know, am I Plus?

You complain about modifying quotes. And you modify quotes.

I modified your quote to highlight which part I was responding to. You modified my quote to highlight which part you were responding to.

Neither of us changed the meaning of the quotes. You complained. I didn't.

I still don't understand why you are referring to me as "Plus". Can I start referring to you as Nazi -- Siam Simon = SS = Nazi ??

Thanks for the info on ISOC. I'll research that a bit more.

You can refer to me in any way you want. I'm thick-skinned, not bothered, Plus.