BANGKOK, Oct 17 – Enforcement of the Internal Security Act (ISA) in three Bangkok government-centred districts will possibly be extended after tomorrow’s deadline, a senior security official said today.
Paradorn Pattanatabut, secretary general of the National Security Council (NSC), said the Cabinet would be asked tomorrow to extend using the ISA in the Dusit, Phra Nakhon and Pom Prap Sattru Phai areas, which will otherwise end tomorrow.
He said the decision to prolong the ISA was agreed in a special security meeting, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok, joined by security officials such as national police chief Adul Saengsingkaew, in his capacity as director of the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order.
Government House, Parliament and many government offices are located in the three districts of historic Bangkok.
The ISA was imposed to deal with the anti-government demonstration organised by the Network of Students and People for Thailand Reform at Urupong intersection on Rama VI Road last week.
Negotiations for the protesters to move from the area following complaints from local residents and motorists of noise pollution, traffic congestion, littering and inconvenience were unsuccessful.
Lt Gen Paradorn admitted that the ISA enforcement could affect the country’s image, investment and tourism but the government has no choice but to maintain peace and public order.
The protesters demanded that the government address the people’s grievances over the high cost of living and falling prices of agricultural produce.
They also called on the government to seriously get rid of corruption and offer full democracy to the people.
