BANGKOK, Nov 26 – Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today signed an order revoking the Internal Security Act (ISA) imposed in three districts of Bangkok to maintain law and order during the anti-government protest of Pitak Siam group over the weekend.
Government spokesperson Tossaporn Serirak said the premier signed the order to end the imposition of the ISA in Phra Nakhon, Dusit and Pomprap Sattruephai districts beginning last Thursday through this Friday after the Pitak Siam staged the protest at the Royal Plaza last Saturday.
The rally ended within one day after police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of anti-government protesters who attempted to break a line of riot police officers blocking a street near the rally site.
The Public Health Ministry said 82 people were injured in the clashes, including 52 civilians.
The Pitak Siam leader Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit stood down as the protest’s leader immediately after taking the stage at Royal Plaza on Saturday evening to instruct demonstrators to disperse to avoid casualties. He said that the turnout was lower than he had expected.
Mr Tossaporn said that as concerned agencies could maintain order and the situation has returned to normal, the prime minister decided to revoke the special law, resulting in the ending of other related orders issued under the ISA and by the premier as well as the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order.
The ISA revocation takes effect today, according to the government spokesperson.
