Govt Enforces Internal Security Act For Nine Days In Heart Of Bangkok

[webfact]

ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMOSTRATION

Government invoke ISA in Bangkok to handle Saturday rally

BANGKOK: -- The government will enforce the Internal Security Act for nine days, starting today, in three Bangkok districts to handle the anti-government mass rally scheduled this Saturday.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said the three districts are Phra Nakhon, Pomprab Satrupai and Dusit.

The National Security Council expected some 40,000 demonstrators to join the rally organised by Pitak Siam leader Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit at the Royal Plaza on Saturday, though police believed 50,000 people will show up.

The ISA enforcement empowered the government to call military reinforcements if police failed to control the crowd.

The decision was made in a meeting of ruling Pheu Thai Cabinet meeting and chaired by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Police Commissioner General Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew had prepared 112 companies comprising 16,800 policemen to maintain security around the rally site. He said 23,000 civilian volunteers will also be on standby at 192 Bangkok police stations, ready to be deployed if police need help to control the situation.

-- The Nation 2012-11-22

[webfact]

Thailand steps up security for Bangkok mass demo

BANGKOK, Nov 22, 2012 (AFP) - Thailand on Thursday invoked a special security law to cope with a political rally this weekend in Bangkok, the scene of several outbreaks of violent unrest in recent years.

Police expect tens of thousands of people to attend Saturday's rally at the Royal Plaza. The demo is organised by the royalist group Pitak Siam, which opposes Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government.

The Internal Security Act (ISA) will be enforced in three districts of the capital's historic quarter for nine days, officials said after the cabinet approved the measure.

"Based on our intelligence, the rally will be intense with a huge turnout of protesters," National Security Council chief Paradorn Pattanatabut told reporters.

The security law enables the government to prevent the use of certain routes or vehicles, impose a curfew, ban gatherings, carry out searches of buildings and censor the media.

Nearly 17,000 police will be deployed for the demo, according to officials.

Politically turbulent Thailand has been rocked by a series of sometimes violent rival street protests in recent years, although an uneasy calm has returned after national elections in 2011.

Two months of mass opposition protests in 2010 by "Red Shirt" supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra sparked a deadly military crackdown that left about 90 people dead and nearly 1,900 wounded.

No prosecutions have been made over the unrest, which happened under a previous establishment-backed government that was swept from power last year by allies of Thaksin, whose sister Yingluck is now prime minister.

The organisers said they expected at least 500,000 protesters to attend, although the authorities estimate about 40,000-50,000 will turn out.

"This government ignores widespread disrespect of the monarchy and even supports the perpetrators. It is a puppet of Thaksin," said Pitak Siam spokesman Vachara Riddhagni.

Thaksin, who made billions as a telecoms tycoon, is adored by many poor Thais for his populist policies while in power, but reviled by many in elite, military and palace circles who see him as authoritarian and a threat to the monarchy.

Observers say prosecutions for insulting the monarchy have surged since royalist generals toppled Thaksin in a coup in 2006. Many of those targeted are linked to the Red Shirt movement.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-11-22

[sjjmmi]

What happend to the 1,000,000 turn out

[15Peter20]

Let's hope it passes off peacefully.

[tomross46]

The government is taking steps to control this anti-democracy movement and if neccessary they will request the assistance of the Red Shirts, and Black Shirts. Contacts have also been make with Cambodia to send over some Kamer Rodue population control personnel.

[animatic]

They ARE scared this time.

I wonder what we don't yet know....

[Nickymaster]

What happend to the 1,000,000 turn out

FYI, the rally has not started yet

[Stradavarius37]

What happend to the 1,000,000 turn out

FYI, the rally has not started yet

When it does - the result will be far from 1 million lol. But if they reach 100,000 it will be impressive.

[billd766]

Government censorship, curfews, banning gatherings, searhing vehicles and buildings and censoring the media.

What are they afraid of.

Let us hope that they do the same for ALL the Red Shirt gatherings from now on as they wouldn't wan't to be accused of double standards, would they?

[lemoncake]

But just yesterday I think Chalerm said it will not be needed?!

I guess whatever he says its actually the opposite

[Moruya]

What is this 23,000 civilian volunteers?

The police themselves have no training in crowd control, how will they additionally manage 150% of their own number?

Who is to tell if these 23,000 are neutral?

Were they recently selected? By whom?

This whole event is disconcerting

[lensta]

"This government ignores widespread disrespect of the monarchy and even supports the perpetrators. It is a puppet of Thaksin," said Pitak Siam spokesman Vachara Riddhagni."

They seem to drag this tired old excuse out every time they want to have a protest. Surely they can come up with something better??

[MunterHunter]

When it does - the result will be far from 1 million lol. But if they reach 100,000 it will be impressive.

Still, that will be twice the size of the Red Shirt Riots tho

[Katipo]

I think fear will stop many turning up. The fact that they are enforcing the ISA will only compound those fears.

The current administration hasn't done enough 'in your face' wrong (although behind the scenes we can all see what's coming). I think this demonstration is a little pre-mature. Still, it provides an opportunity to both see the support these 'royalists' have, and how far the government will go to suppress them if they feel threatened.

[OzMick]

So tell me again why Abhisit was wrong to use this when the rhetoric was "Burn it if we don't get what we want!" and almost every day more explosive rounds were being fired, and yet this government is in order when nothing of the sort is in the wind - at least not from them.

[MunterHunter]

So tell me again why Abhisit was wrong to use this when the rhetoric was "Burn it if we don't get what we want!" and almost every day more explosive rounds were being fired, and yet this government is in order when nothing of the sort is in the wind - at least not from them.

The Red Government employs double-standards - which as i remember was one of their campaign points during the Red Riots.

[Docno]

"This government ignores widespread disrespect of the monarchy and even supports the perpetrators. It is a puppet of Thaksin," said Pitak Siam spokesman Vachara Riddhagni."

They seem to drag this tired old excuse out every time they want to have a protest. Surely they can come up with something better??

Yes, especially as there does not seem to have been a let up in the application of lese majeste laws under the current government... His claim really doesn't hold much water, does it?

[scorecard]

Government censorship, curfews, banning gatherings, searhing vehicles and buildings and censoring the media.

What are they afraid of.

Let us hope that they do the same for ALL the Red Shirt gatherings from now on as they wouldn't wan't to be accused of double standards, would they?

"Government censorship, curfews, banning gatherings, seaching vehicles and buildings and censoring the media."

And this from the champions of democracy and justice. No double standards here.

[MaxLee]

What happend to the 1,000,000 turn out

FYI, the rally has not started yet

When it does - the result will be far from 1 million lol. But if they reach 100,000 it will be impressive.

Get ready for the traffic chaos...

[jonclark]

I think fear will stop many turning up. The fact that they are enforcing the ISA will only compound those fears.

The current administration hasn't done enough 'in your face' wrong (although behind the scenes we can all see what's coming). I think this demonstration is a little pre-mature. Still, it provides an opportunity to both see the support these 'royalists' have, and how far the government will go to suppress them if they feel threatened.

Agreed.

I think the reaction of this government certainly mirrors, to a certain degree, the reaction of the previous government to the UDD rally - although that rally was a lot more complex and protracted. I think the government might be fanning the flames of fear to put off many people from attending, which really is jolly undemocratic of them. I remember Chalerm and Jatuporn spitting blood when AV tried the same tactics to dissuade UDD supporters from entering Bangkok and now they're copying his tactics, furthermore they claim by doing this, they're defending democracy, which ironically was exactly what Abhist claimed too!!

I guess the Thai political leopard really can't change its spots, no matter how hard it tries.

[PhilipCook]

Protestors? When drivers, maids and out of town folks attend to get fed and paid to attend, isnt that called temporary employment, moonlighting?

[Lite Beer]

Cabinet OKs using Internal Security Act to counter Saturday’s rally

BANGKOK, Nov 22 – Thailand’s cabinet resolved today to apply the Internal Security Act (ISA) to counter an anti-government rally Saturday, according to a government official.

Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Varathep Ratanakorn announced the decision after a special meeting of nine ministers chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm

Yubumrung at Government House.

Mr Varathep said the move was in response to the coming anti-government rally led by the Pitak Siam group. The law will be enforced in three capital districts -- Dusit, Phra Nakhon and Pom Prap Sattru Phai -- with immediate effect from today through Nov 30.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed security agencies concerned to apply the law prudently with people's rights and liberties being taken into account. Law enforcement must be in accordance with international standards, she said.

She also stated that the law must be revoked once the situation returns to normal, according to the minister.

The premier will appear on national television this evening to address the public and clarify the government's decision.

The cabinet decision came after the National Security Council (NSC) asked the government to enforce the ISA in response to the anti-government rally whose sponsors claim their 'massive' gathering will bring down the administration of Yingluck Shinawatra.

Exercising the ISA, earlier rejected by the authorities, signals the authorities’ nervousness regarding the scale of the political rally, which they fear could be much greater than earlier

expected.

The demonstration, organised by Pitak Siam leader and retired army officer Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, will be held at the Royal Plaza but the crowd may spill over to nearby areas. The Royal Plaza is adjacent to Government House, Parliament and many state office buildings.

NSC secretary general Lt-Gen Paradorn Pattanathabutr said the ISA will help the authorities keep public order at buildings given an intelligence report of a potentially-escalating situation and much larger crowd than earlier predicted.

Under the ISA, the national police chief will be the central figure in maintaining public order, said Gen Paradorn, adding that the ISA will be preventive, not suppressive, in its use.(MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-11-22

[bapak]

Government censorship, curfews, banning gatherings, searhing vehicles and buildings and censoring the media.

What are they afraid of.

Let us hope that they do the same for ALL the Red Shirt gatherings from now on as they wouldn't wan't to be accused of double standards, would they?

Yes, I have not seen the ISA being imposed for the regular Red Rallies.

[rubl]

I think fear will stop many turning up. The fact that they are enforcing the ISA will only compound those fears.

The current administration hasn't done enough 'in your face' wrong (although behind the scenes we can all see what's coming). I think this demonstration is a little pre-mature. Still, it provides an opportunity to both see the support these 'royalists' have, and how far the government will go to suppress them if they feel threatened.

Law abiding citizens might feel much safer now and be impelled to join the rally fun

BTW the OP says "The enforcement was announced after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra held a meeting of Pheu Thai Cabinet members.". Does that mean coalition partners are not involved in the cabinet decision ? Also the "She also stated that the law must be revoked once the situation returns to normal, according to the minister." sounds interesting

[Pimay1]

Government censorship, curfews, banning gatherings, searhing vehicles and buildings and censoring the media.

What are they afraid of.

Let us hope that they do the same for ALL the Red Shirt gatherings from now on as they wouldn't wan't to be accused of double standards, would they?

Yes, I have not seen the ISA being imposed for the regular Red Rallies.

And you won't.

[McMagus]

When I get really really really bored, I've already done exciting things like wash my socks and smalls and everything is as boring as batshit ... I turn to Thai politics as it is marginally more exciting. This country and all colours of politics need a damned good thrashing a la Basil Fawlty.

[drdoom6996]

Government censorship, curfews, banning gatherings, searhing vehicles and buildings and censoring the media.

What are they afraid of.

Let us hope that they do the same for ALL the Red Shirt gatherings from now on as they wouldn't wan't to be accused of double standards, would they?

PTP accused of double standards??? They are the double standard. The PTP make the law and break it to suit themselves. Wjat a bunch of @#$%^.

[webfact]

RT @tulsathit: Constitution Court is expected to make a decision today regarding calls for ban on anti-govt rally this Sat.

[Tanaka]

What is this 23,000 civilian volunteers?

The police themselves have no training in crowd control, how will they additionally manage 150% of their own number?

Who is to tell if these 23,000 are neutral?

Were they recently selected? By whom?

This whole event is disconcerting

The private police volunteers will be the red shirt thugs. They will be rehearsing at a rally in Udon Thani the day before.

[jcw]

I think fear will stop many turning up. The fact that they are enforcing the ISA will only compound those fears.

The current administration hasn't done enough 'in your face' wrong (although behind the scenes we can all see what's coming). I think this demonstration is a little pre-mature. Still, it provides an opportunity to both see the support these 'royalists' have, and how far the government will go to suppress them if they feel threatened.

I think this is a very level headed comment and worth quoting.