PAD Wants Written Request From Thai Govt To End Rally

[webfact]

PAD wants written request to end rally

By Atthayuth Butrsriphoom,

Samatcha Hunsara,

The Nation

The People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday set conditions for the government to reclaim the site it has been protesting on.

After a meeting, PAD coordinator Panthep Pourpongpan said that if the government wanted to reclaim the space, it needed to give the yellow shirts a written request.

"Nobody from the government has officially contacted us. We have only heard about the action, but we don't know who will be responsible for the operation or what law will be used," he said.

The PAD has been occupying the Makkhawan Bridge on Rajdamnoen Nok Avenue since January 25, while the Thai Patriots Network has been encamped on Phitsanulok Road from Phanitchayakan Intersection to Misakawan Park since before the New Year.

Earlier yesterday, PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang met with Pol Maj-General Wichai Sangprapai, commander of Metropolitan Police Division 1, who asked the PAD to allow traffic on Phitsanulok Road from Phanitchayakan Intersection to Misakawan Park intersection, but Chamlong rejected the request.

"We won't leave. Come and arrest us, we are not afraid. Losing our freedom is better than losing our territory," Chamlong said.

At a news conference yesterday morning, the PAD leader said he would take the protesters to the Royal Plaza tomorrow, though he had no plans to blockade Parliament.

He said he would also send a convoy to distribute relief supplies to villagers fleeing clashes at Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district.

"There will be no road blockade or rally at Parliament as the government feared earlier," he said.

Last weekend, the PAD resolved to move its rally site to "important" locations tomorrow - the day that Parliament is scheduled to pass the charter amendment bill in its third reading.

Chamlong said he would lead the PAD demonstrators to Royal Plaza at 10am tomorrow and have everyone take the patriotic oath in front of King Rama V's statue to protect Thai territory voluntarily and to use every means to win the land back from Cambodia. After that, the group would return to its rally site.

Meanwhile, the PAD retracted its earlier plan to petition the Administrative Court to launch a judicial review into the government's mandate to invoke the Internal Security Act.

"We have to consider measures taken under the law first. If we see any of the measures affecting the protest, we will take legal action against the government," Panthep said.

Seven Bangkok districts have been put under the ISA from yesterday until February 23.

-- The Nation 2011-02-10

[siampolee]

"We won't leave. Come and arrest us, we are not afraid. Losing our freedom is better than losing our territory," Chamlong said.

He said he would also send a convoy to distribute relief supplies to villagers fleeing clashes at Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district.

A wonderful armchair warrior, disrupts Bangkok stirs up inane nationalistic emotions, as a result many innocent Thai's suffer yet the social reject has not got the backbone to go and actually present himself and his cronies in the flesh to pursue their cause.

Wonderful leadership skills are they not, and about as much spine as a jellyfish.

Very easy to orchestrate violence when one is ensconced in an armchair miles from danger.

This creature states he is a true patriot, methinks it is indeed a weird and wonderful form of patriotism to try to bring a country to war with its neighbours, let alone jump up onto the bandwagon of civil strife.

As the song by John Lennon and Yoko Ono goes, " Give Peace A chance."

[h90]

"We won't leave. Come and arrest us, we are not afraid. Losing our freedom is better than losing our territory," Chamlong said.

He said he would also send a convoy to distribute relief supplies to villagers fleeing clashes at Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district.

A wonderful armchair warrior, disrupts Bangkok stirs up inane nationalistic emotions, as a result many innocent Thai's suffer yet the social reject has not got the backbone to go and actually present himself and his cronies in the flesh to pursue their cause.

Wonderful leadership skills are they not, and about as much spine as a jellyfish.

Very easy to orchestrate violence when one is ensconced in an armchair miles from danger.

This creature states he is a true patriot, methinks it is indeed a weird and wonderful form of patriotism to try to bring a country to war with its neighbours, let alone jump up onto the bandwagon of civil strife.

As the song by John Lennon and Yoko Ono goes, " Give Peace A chance."

read chamlongs history, he is no armchair warrior.........

[asiawatcher]

Since when can these Urban Terrorist fell they have the rights to 'demand' a letter in writing from the Govt? And when will the Govt take into account the inconvenience these morons are causing to the public? Or is the theory to wait two months - let their demands escalate then bring in weapons again? All very stupid.

[siampolee]

h90read chamlongs history, he is no armchair warrior.....

..

I've lived here for twenty years and I am well aware of Chamlong's history. Iived through that period of history, however that was yesterday and he ( Chamlong ) was without a doubt a driving force in ridding Thailand of a particularly unpleasant government.

Sad to say now though, "Chamlong has lost the plot."

Old soldiers should fade away gently and preserve their honour and dignity, not demean themselves by adopting a stance that destroys all that they achieved and stood for.

Edited February 10, 2011 by siampolee

[SouthernMan3]

"We won't leave. Come and arrest us, we are not afraid. Losing our freedom is better than losing our territory," Chamlong said.

A true Thai patriot ! :jap:

[Payboy]

I have 2 very short words that the government could write to PAD.

[webfact]

Police to seek court injunction on PAD

By The Nation

Police will apply for a court injuction to move the rally site of the People's Alliance for Democracy off the streets after negotiations have failed, Metropolitan Police Region 1 commander Maj General Wichai Sangprapai said on Thursday.

"Yesterday's marathon negotiations collapsed because the PAD had refused to open traffic lanes," he said.

Wichai said police would gradually step up measures to deal with the protesters and that a first step was to seek the judicial sanction to enforce the ISA.

Under the ISA, streets surrounding Government House were designated a restricted area and off-limit to protesters.

In regard to the PAD's plan to rally at the Royal Plaza tomorrow, he said police would not allow protesters to trespass the ground of Parliament.

-- The Nation 2011-02-10

[animatic]

Oh, it must be in writing?

Something their lawyers can try and parse.

Absurd, they know that they have been told to go,

I know they have been told to go, why don't they?

Yes, Chamlong is not succeeding in his last hurrah.

Go tend your orchids, you've reach your sell by date.

[Steely Dan]

In most Countries it is the responsibility of the protesting group to get written permission from the authorities concerning when and where they plan to protest not the other way round. The sheer arrogance of PAD is starting to annoy me and I'm not Thai, so I can only imagine what Thai public oppinion of them is.

[KKvampire]

Whats crazy about Thailand is the fact such occupations are permitted, "physically allowed" to start. Shows the weakness of the Government and its policing, ..they let these demonstrations get out of control. The yellow or red shirt mobs think.. "hey we can make this bigger, occupy the airports , block the streets etc etc". and events balloon out of control. .. and 200 or 300 kms in the east the country is at war over a Temple.. This is Thailand

[jayjay0]

"We won't leave. Come and arrest us, we are not afraid. Losing our freedom is better than losing our territory," Chamlong said.

He said he would also send a convoy to distribute relief supplies to villagers fleeing clashes at Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district.

A wonderful armchair warrior, disrupts Bangkok stirs up inane nationalistic emotions, as a result many innocent Thai's suffer yet the social reject has not got the backbone to go and actually present himself and his cronies in the flesh to pursue their cause.

Wonderful leadership skills are they not, and about as much spine as a jellyfish.

Very easy to orchestrate violence when one is ensconced in an armchair miles from danger.

This creature states he is a true patriot, methinks it is indeed a weird and wonderful form of patriotism to try to bring a country to war with its neighbours, let alone jump up onto the bandwagon of civil strife.

As the song by John Lennon and Yoko Ono goes, " Give Peace A chance."

read chamlongs history, he is no armchair warrior.........

He is now.

We all change as we age.

Take for instance the Yellow Shirts. First they take over two airports and shut them down. A feew years later they sit back and do nothing except tell others what to do.

From Yellow Shirts to Yellow Spines.

[Thailand]

In most Countries it is the responsibility of the protesting group to get written permission from the authorities concerning when and where they plan to protest not the other way round. The sheer arrogance of PAD is starting to annoy me and I'm not Thai, so I can only imagine what Thai public oppinion of them is.

My Thai friends think the once well respected Chamlong and his yellow hordes seeking power have contracted some form of virus that removes brain cells and logic, or words to that effect.

[jayjay0]

What about this convoy thing.

"He said he would also send a convoy to distribute relief supplies to villagers fleeing clashes at Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district."

they keep talking about it where is it?

[Thai at Heart]

In most Countries it is the responsibility of the protesting group to get written permission from the authorities concerning when and where they plan to protest not the other way round. The sheer arrogance of PAD is starting to annoy me and I'm not Thai, so I can only imagine what Thai public oppinion of them is.

My Thai friends think the once well respected Chamlong and his yellow hordes seeking power have contracted some form of virus that removes brain cells and logic, or words to that effect.

And to think that it was once bandied around that the PAD represented the educated middle class. If that wasn't the best bit of spin doctoring in the history of the media.

They were set up to achieve the removal of Thaksin and nothing more. A fairly sized bunch of private interest groups got together and cobbled together a plan to unseat Thaksin and his subsequent governments. They had nothing to do with representing the "people". It was in some ways justified, but set a horrendous precedent. Unfortunately, a little bit like the War in Iraq, there wasn't much of a plan for what to do with the PAD after Thaksin had gone, and I am sure of the original bunch of people who conspired to create the PAD, not too many of them agree with what the PAD represents today.

Can't someone forge a letter? And if ever there was a use for the special forces going through their paces in Cobra Gold, a little bit of extraordinary rendition to a lifeless bit of sand in an ocean somewhere for the current PAD leaders might be recommended.

Edited February 10, 2011 by Thai at Heart

[Tatsujin]

If the ISA is in effect, why can't they just move them? PAD are breaking the law (yet again) and the Govt allows them (and the reds or whoever chooses to make a protest) to get away with all the disruption and inconvenience it all causes to others.

Would have been simpler not to allow them to protest in the first place if the ISA was being enforced or is that just too sensible an option?

[DoctorG]

beware the scoundrel wrapped in the flag

[animatic]

Whats crazy about Thailand is the fact such occupations are permitted, "physically allowed" to start. Shows the weakness of the Government and its policing, ..they let these demonstrations get out of control. The yellow or red shirt mobs think.. "hey we can make this bigger, occupy the airports , block the streets etc etc". and events balloon out of control. .. and 200 or 300 kms in the east the country is at war over a Temple.. This is Thailand

Less the weakness of the government and more the Thai propensity to avoid confrontation. Not all think like this, but in general they wait till push must become shove. So stopping something that could become trouble doesn't get done until it IS trouble, then they feel they can act on it having been seen to be forced to act on it..

[SICHONSTEVE]

Oh dear!!!! It seems that PAD are in just as much (maybe more) disarray as the Peua Thai party are, as they seem incapable of implementing any sort of sensible strategy to challenge the government on this complex and tricky situation. Their protests started off weak and seem to be running out of steam rapidly, hence their plea for the government to write a begging letter of sorts, "if they want to reclaim the space" that they are protesting on. Why on earth would the government want to respond to this desparate plea by the PAD. After all, all this pointless stand will do is further antagonise and allienate (again) the Bangkokians who's lives it is disrupting and inconveniencing - that doesn't gain support, does it!!!. They must be fed up with these guerilla tactics that keep on being deployed, firstly by the red shirts and now the yellow variety. The only time it proved successful was in the barricading of the 2 major airports and government house by the PAD (I have to admit that this worked a treat in respects of the positive outcome it produced). This option has been taken away from them now though, so apart from wasting their time and energy allied to the fact that they don't possess any "crooked benefactor" to support their cause, what hope do they have in achieving the end to their means???

The PAD don't appear to have the know how or expertise in confronting the government and when they start DEMANDING things you can be sure that their campaign is in trouble!! Also, voluntarily retracting something generally signals that is was a mistake to have requested it in the first place. It is clear that they don't have the brains to co-ordinate their actions and the only reputations being damaged are that of their leaders and party (and not the government's). Restating their national allegiance is symbolic but futile and they have made another mistake in declaring they they want to use every means at their disposal to "win back" their territory. Patriotic and admirable words maybe, but don't they realise and understand that they are, in effect, conceding that the land belongs to Kampuchea and not Thailand with their foolish and unwise choice of words!!!

A word of advice to them - do us all a favour, stay out of politics and go back to your day jobs - at least this would be useful and beneficial to the country that you claim to hold 'so dear to your hearts'.

[spidermike007]

Thailand simply need to fulfill it's responsibility and arrest PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang, try him for treason, and give him life imprisonment. If they did this to him, along with most of the other Red shirt leaders, along with the Yellow (hearted) shirt

leaders, the protest movement might simmer down. Allowing this to continue is debilitating the country, and destroying Thailand's reputation worldwide. This country is fast becoming the laughing stock of the planet. The Red shirt goods do not even have an agenda. When asked by the media what their goals are, they have a hard time articulating them, except for vague statements like, we demand the current leaders to step down. Yeah, like that is going to happen. What planet are they living on, anyway? Had Thailand aggressively pursued Thaksin prior to the April/May demonstrations, had him extradited, tried, convicted, and jailed, perhaps none of this would be happening now?

[prefabs]

Why not just rent a mob of people who can stand and laugh at them, causing them to lose face. After all, their attempts are pretty laughable.

Come on, asking a government to give a written statement to stop protesting? Just by being there, they are being shown their democratic rights to protest, what else do they need?

[h90]

h90read chamlongs history, he is no armchair warrior.....

..

I've lived here for twenty years and I am well aware of Chamlong's history. Iived through that period of history, however that was yesterday and he ( Chamlong ) was without a doubt a driving force in ridding Thailand of a particularly unpleasant government.

Sad to say now though, "Chamlong has lost the plot."

Old soldiers should fade away gently and preserve their honour and dignity, not demean themselves by adopting a stance that destroys all that they achieved and stood for.

If know the history than you should know that the current count is 4 unpleasant governments. And the rats come again and again. It is not Chamlongs fault that one corrupt government after the other comes in semi (semi at best) democratic way into power.

[siampolee]

h90If know the history than you should know that the current count is 4 unpleasant governments. And the rats come again and again. It is not Chamlongs fault that one corrupt government after the other comes in semi (semi at best) democratic way into power.

Chamlong was instrumental in bringing Thaksin to power, Chamlong regarded Thaksin as the role model for a Thai politician.

Time has proved beyond any measure of doubt that Chamlong was indeed wrong in his thinking.

This current administration is possibly one of the best we have seen over the last twenty years to my knowledge.

What or who is it to be replaced with ?

When one looks at the opposition and those who wish to aspire to power I see many rabid self serving corrupt people just hovering over Thailand waiting to feast on the Thai people and the carcass of democracy which will be all that remains in the event of the return of or reincarnation of the last tainted bunch of political cowboy bandits.

In step the military, and the merry go round goes on spinning, the road to democracy is indeed a long one.

It has taken my home country since Magna Carta to try to get it right and the U.K is still trying after all of those years.

Until such time as the system of patronage and vote buying and the pursuit of personal gains ceases to exist there will be a continuance of the current practices.

Irrespective of the colours of the shirt one may wear on ones back. It is the colour of the money in the demonstrators pockets that dictates Thai politics.

[webfact]

CAPO's announcements designed to evict protesters

By The Nation

The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) on Thursday issued two announcements declaring streets around Government House off-limit and ordering protesters to dismantle their rally site.

The announcements, invoking the mandate given by the Internal Security Act, were signed by national police chief General Wichean Potphosree in his capacity as CAPO director.

In the first announcement, individuals, except those allowed by the authorities, are banned from entering Government House and Parliament and from encamping on the following roads - Phitsanulok, Rama V, Luk Luang and Krung Kasem.

For the second announcement, motorists, unless permitted by the authorities, can not access three sections of the following roads, Pichai from Kattiyanee Junction to Ratchawithi Junction, Ratchawithi from Kan Ruen Junction to Ratchawithi Junction and U Thong from U Thong Nai Junction to Royal Plaza.

The three road sections provide access to Parliament.

The announcements have been posted at the rally sites of the People's Alliance for Democrat at Makkhawan Bridge and of the Thai Patriots Network on Phitsanulok Road and will take effect for the duration of the ISA enforcement until February 23.

-- The Nation 2011-02-10

[h90]

h90If know the history than you should know that the current count is 4 unpleasant governments. And the rats come again and again. It is not Chamlongs fault that one corrupt government after the other comes in semi (semi at best) democratic way into power.

Chamlong was instrumental in bringing Thaksin to power, Chamlong regarded Thaksin as the role model for a Thai politician.

Time has proved beyond any measure of doubt that Chamlong was indeed wrong in his thinking.

This current administration is possibly one of the best we have seen over the last twenty years to my knowledge.

What or who is it to be replaced with ?

When one looks at the opposition and those who wish to aspire to power I see many rabid self serving corrupt people just hovering over Thailand waiting to feast on the Thai people and the carcass of democracy which will be all that remains in the event of the return of or reincarnation of the last tainted bunch of political cowboy bandits.

In step the military, and the merry go round goes on spinning, the road to democracy is indeed a long one.

It has taken my home country since Magna Carta to try to get it right and the U.K is still trying after all of those years.

Until such time as the system of patronage and vote buying and the pursuit of personal gains ceases to exist there will be a continuance of the current practices.

Irrespective of the colours of the shirt one may wear on ones back. It is the colour of the money in the demonstrators pockets that dictates Thai politics.

Best in 20 years? OK, I think we can stop the discussion here, I thing we have a complete different view on what is a good government.

In my opinion:

Anand

Chuan

Chuan 2

Thaksin 1 (not 2)

Surajud

were better.

[siampolee]

h90

Best in 20 years? OK, I think we can stop the discussion here, I thing we have a complete different view on what is a good government.

In my opinion:

The comment I made which you cut and pasted was actually this

" This current administration is possibly one of the best we have seen over the last twenty years to my knowledge."

Now that is a very different perspective to the comment you implied I made. Journalistic licence perhaps ?

However the comments you made concerning your thoughts about the assorted governments are indeed valid ones.

Edited February 10, 2011 by siampolee

[thaicbr]

h90If know the history than you should know that the current count is 4 unpleasant governments. And the rats come again and again. It is not Chamlongs fault that one corrupt government after the other comes in semi (semi at best) democratic way into power.

Chamlong was instrumental in bringing Thaksin to power, Chamlong regarded Thaksin as the role model for a Thai politician.

Time has proved beyond any measure of doubt that Chamlong was indeed wrong in his thinking.

This current administration is possibly one of the best we have seen over the last twenty years to my knowledge.

What or who is it to be replaced with ?

When one looks at the opposition and those who wish to aspire to power I see many rabid self serving corrupt people just hovering over Thailand waiting to feast on the Thai people and the carcass of democracy which will be all that remains in the event of the return of or reincarnation of the last tainted bunch of political cowboy bandits.

In step the military, and the merry go round goes on spinning, the road to democracy is indeed a long one.

It has taken my home country since Magna Carta to try to get it right and the U.K is still trying after all of those years.

Until such time as the system of patronage and vote buying and the pursuit of personal gains ceases to exist there will be a continuance of the current practices.

Irrespective of the colours of the shirt one may wear on ones back. It is the colour of the money in the demonstrators pockets that dictates Thai politics.

Best in 20 years? OK, I think we can stop the discussion here, I thing we have a complete different view on what is a good government.

In my opinion:

Anand

Chuan

Chuan 2

Thaksin 1 (not 2)

Surajud

were better.

WHY?

[webfact]

Yellow Shirts vow not to stop rally

BANGKOK, Feb 10 - In a show of defiance against the government, leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) also known as the Yellow Shirt movement, vowed not to end their protest and would not unblock roads to traffic.

The PAD activists have been encamped at Makkhawan Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, near Government House for 17 days and are in the second day of Internal Security Act (ISA) enforcement in areas around their protest site.

PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang said at Yellow Shirt daily news briefing that the group would not end their protest against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's handling of the now deadly border dispute with Cambodia.

Roads near Government House will be closed for traffic, as the PAD protest has been peaceful and caused no trouble to the public, he stated.

No matter whatever pressure is put against the PAD by the police, the protesters pledge to maintain their rally, he said, adding that if the police forcefully disperse the protest, they will later regroup and protest again until their demands are met.

Gen Chamlong said earlier he would again refuse to cooperate if he is asked again to vacate the protest site.

Meanwhile, Mr Abhisit said the government did not intend to force the PAD to end its protest but the demonstrators should not cause problem to motorists.

He said the authorities want the PAD to partially open road and if they were worried about their safety, the authorities could help manage the matter.

The premier said if the PAD insists on occupying the road, the authorities will have to take action.

Some PAD members want the government to use force, and want violence to happen in order to use it as a precondition for their next move.

Another PAD leader, Praphan Khoonmee, said the group decided to delay a planned application to the Administrative Court to overrule the Cabinet's enforcement of the Internal Security Act (ISA) in seven Bangkok districts around the rally site near Government House.

He said the Cabinet resolution on the matter was unclear and the people's movement would wait to see police measures to control the rally.

As for the Parliamentary joint session to consider the final reading of constitution amendments, Mr Praphan said the PAD would definitely not rally at the Parliament.

The Cabinet on Tuesday endorsed reapplication of the ISA from Feb 9-23 in seven districts around Government House to provide the legal framework for containing intensifying protests.

The ISA enforcement covers seven districts including Dusit, Phra Nakorn, Wattana, Ratchathewi, Wang Thonglang, Pathumwan and Pom Prap Sattru Phai districts.

The Cabinet also agreed to reinstitute the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) to oversee the situation.

The CAPO on Thursday has issued two orders banning people and vehicles from using roads around Government House and the Parliament. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-02-10

[webfact]

PAD must yield traffic lanes: PM's ultimatum

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday called on the People's Alliance for Democracy to open up traffic lanes at the rally site for the sake of public convenience.

"I am just asking for traffic lanes and not a stop to protesting and airing opposition views," he said.

Abhisit said the PAD was obliged to choose between keeping its rally site near Government House without disrupting traffic and relocating its protest to another area which would not cause publlic inconveniences.

-- The Nation 2011-02-10

[webfact]

PAD must yield traffic lanes: PM's ultimatum

By The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday called on the People's Alliance for Democracy to open up traffic lanes at its rally site for the sake of public convenience.

"I am just asking for traffic lanes and not a stop to protesting or airing of opposition views," he said.

Abhisit said the PAD was obliged to choose between keeping its rally site near Government House without disrupting traffic and relocating its protest to another area, which would not cause public inconvenience.

"Please think about the consequences if other protesting groups want to close down roads all day long as well," he said, hinting his government could not be lenient towards the PAD.

He said the PAD had no justification to block traffic since it could carry on protesting with the traffic lanes open.

Should the PAD refuse to yield traffic lanes, he said he would then suspect an ulterior motive other than making demands about the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.

He said he was uncertain what the true motive of the PAD was. Some PAD leaders initially called for the ousting of his government but they were unclear about the replacement administration. Some wanted a national unity government but appeared to lack a consensus.

Regarding the PAD's three demands on the border dispute, he said recent border clashes had proved him right that cancellation of the 2000 memorandum of understanding would serve the Cambodian strategy of paving the way for international intervention.

"I see only PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in favour of the MoU cancellation," he said.

He said the second demand for pulling out of Unesco would be tantamount to allowing meddling in bilateral affairs between Thailand and Cambodia.

On the final demand: to evict the Cambodian encroachment on Thai territory, he said he had already explained the sensitive nature of the issue to Parliament.

The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) yesterday issued two announcements declaring streets around Government House off-limits and ordering protesters to dismantle their rally site.

The announcements, invoking the mandate under the Internal Security Act, were signed by National Police chief General Wichean Potphosree in his capacity as CAPO director.

In the first announcement, individuals, except those allowed by the authorities, are banned from entering Government House and Parliament and from encamping on the following roads - Phitsanulok, Rama V, Luk Luang and Krung Kasem.

The second announcement denies access to three sections of the following roads - Pichai from Kattiyanee Junction to Ratchawithi Junction, Ratchawithi from Kan Ruen Junction to Ratchawithi Junction and U Thong from U Thong Nai Junction to Royal Plaza - to motorists, unless permitted by the authorities.

The three road sections provide access to Parliament.

The announcements have been posted at the rally sites of the PAD at Makkhawan Bridge, and at the Thai Patriots Network on Phitsanulok Road, and will be valid for the duration of the ISA enforcement until February 23.

Police will set up 10 more security checkpoints in the seven Bangkok districts where the ISA is effective, in addition to the existing 17 checkpoints, Metropolitan Police Bureau spokesman Maj-General Piya Uthayo said yesterday.

He said that most of the additional checkpoints would be set up in areas around Government House and Parliament. Thirteen companies of police officers each would be dispatched to the two locations that have political significance to maintain law and order, he added.

He insisted that there would be no attempt to disperse the yellow shirts' protesting outside Government House.

The spokesman noted that in Pathum Wan district, security checkpoints would be set up at the Ratchaprasong and Sala Daeng intersections. The red shirts have held their rallies regularly at the nearby Ratchaprasong commercial district to demand release of their leaders detained in connection with last year's political unrest and riots.

The checkpoints have three main purposes - conduct searches for weapons, distribute necessary information to passers-by, and prevent crimes, according to the police spokesman.

-- The Nation 2011-02-11