ISA: Bangkok Peacekeeping Centre to issue first order today

[webfact]

Peacekeeping Centre to issue first order today
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- The Peacekeeping Centre will today issue its first order, which will be broadcast at 10am through the television pool, the centre's spokesman Pol Maj-General Piya Uthayo said yesterday.

Piya was speaking after attending a meeting chaired by National Police chief Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew, director of the Peacekeeping Centre.

He said the centre's orders, issued to facilitate the work of security officials, would not adversely affect the public and it would seek the media's cooperation in their coverage of political rallies. Press conferences would be held every day at 11am and 3.30pm or in case of an emergency.

Meanwhile, the Group of 40 Senators, led by Paiboon Nititawan, attacked the government for enforcing of the Internal Security Act despite the absence of a political protest.

They said that the order might be illegal as no political protest was taking place and there were no signs of any long-lasting demonstrations being planned.

The Internal Security Act was enforced yesterday and will be in place until August 10 in three Bangkok districts.

Some of the senators are members of the Senate Committee on Corruption and Governance Promotion Studies. The committee plans to invite Deputy Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan to provide testimony next Thursday.

They noted that members of the public who are affected by the enforcement of the security law could file a petition with the Administrative Court.

How the Internal Security Act works

_ Is imposed prior to an emergency situation.

_ Empowers the Cabinet to step up security measures.

_ Is enforced by the prime minister as director the Internal Security Operation Command (Isoc).

_ Authorises Isoc to remove officials who might be considered a security threat or an obstruction to operations.

_ Allows the mobilisation of security officials.

_ Authorises officials to determine restricted areas.

_ Authorises the Isoc director to impose a curfew.

_ Prohibits the carrying of weapons.

_ Allows the blocking of traffic routes and vehicles.

_ Prohibits the use of electronic equipment.

_ Allows for plea bargaining.

-- The Nation 2013-08-02

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller advisory service.

The following Travel Advice has changed or been added since our last update (23 May 2013 10:04:45 EST):

Current Advice Level: "High degree of caution"

Change Summary:

It contains updated information under Safety and security: Civil unrest/political tension (the Thai Government has announced the activation of the Internal Security Act (ISA) in three of Bangkoks fifty districts until 10 August 2013). We continue to advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Thailand overall due to the threat of terrorist attack, and not to travel in the provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla.

* Thailand

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand

[tominbkk]

Amazing how on the ball the police are with this government. Never saw a cop anywhere when the cockroach reds were out rioting.

[GrantSmith]

The last one's the kicker.. Allows for plea bargaining...

Read that however you like

[Mampara]

Remember what happened in the Tak Bai district when 78 demonstrators, rounded up on October 25, 2004, and had apparently died from suffocation.

[Bluespunk]

" it would seek the media's cooperation in their coverage of political rallies."

Interesting phrase. The press is going to print our view and our view alone? That's the PT I know, freedom of the press is the freedom to say what we tell you to say.

Edited August 2, 2013 by Bluespunk

[RickBradford]

Peacekeeping Centre issues Order #1: "Stop fighting."

Then they can go back to sleep.

[OzMick]

Yingluk seems to like the powers of the ISA. I wonder how long before it becomes permanent.

[bigbamboo]

Aren't these places usually called War Rooms?

[Benmart]

Let calm heads prevail. Violence will, unfortunately, be met with violence and senseless injuries and deaths will be the byproduct. Thailand is not unique when it comes to violence. It's only uniqueness is the ugliness it lays at our doorstep.

[h90]

Amazing how on the ball the police are with this government. Never saw a cop anywhere when the cockroach reds were out rioting.

Well the government control the police direct. For years they put in only cronies.

[petedk]

well it's now 10.13 am.

Has anyone seen the TV broadcast? Did it go ahead as planned?

[terry101]

" it would seek the media's cooperation in their coverage of political rallies."

Interesting phrase. The press is going to print our view and our view alone? That's the PT I know, freedom of the press is the freedom to say what we tell you to say.

With everyone using some form of social media nowadays it will not be that difficult from actually finding out the "actual story" from all the feet on the ground. Look at how most of the political rallies happened in the Arab Spring, most of it done via social media and that is where the actual stories were coming from, not from government backed media outlets.

[tingtongteesood]

_ Prohibits the carrying of weapons.

I guess someone must have forgotten to tell the Red Shirt rioters about this rule then...