BANGKOK, 19 Oct 2013 (NNT) – The National Security Council (NSC) says the extension of the Internal Security Act until the end of next month was necessary.
Following the International Court of Justice’s announcement to render its hearing on Phra Viharn case on November 11 and the ongoing demonstration at Urupong Intersection, NSC Secretary-General Lt Gen Paradorn Pattanathabutr asserted that the ISA extension until the end of next month was necessary as the demonstrators said they would not relocate to Lumpini Park despite the police attempt to convince them to open roads and move to another site. Lt Gen Paradorn said he feared that the demonstrators would shift their rally to the Government House if the ISA was revoked.
Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol Maj Gen Adul Narongsak earlier negotiated with the leaders of demonstrators, asking them to relocate, due to a flood of complaints from residents in the area regarding noises, and inconvenience caused by the demonstrators, as well as stench from the toilet trucks.
The secretary general added that the upcoming ruling on the territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia could escalade the demonstration to bring down the government.
The ISA is currently imposed in 3 districts of Bangkok namely Dusit, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, and Phra Nakhon.
