BANGKOK, Nov 7 – Enforcement of the Internal Security Act (ISA) will not be widened despite the government’s concerns on the widespread protests against the amnesty bill, Thailand’s security chief said today.
Paradorn Pattanatabut, secretary general of the National Security Council, said the government would concentrate on talks to the people and explain the withdrawal of all amnesty-related legislations.
The government today called an urgent security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra who cut short her trip to the eastern region.
Lt Gen Paradorn said Suranand Vejjajiva, secretary general to the prime minister, was instructed to launch a blanket campaign across the country to explain the government’s latest move concerning amnesty and reconciliation.
He admitted that more rural people have openly opposed to the amnesty bill but clarifications would create understanding.
He gave assurances that the ISA imposition in three crucial districts of Bangkok which surround significant stage buildings including Government House would not be widened despite escalating demonstrations by diverse of anti-amnesty protesters.
Police have been concerned with their peace-keeping duties around Government House but they would not ask for military reinforcement, he said.
At Asoke intersection in the heart of Bangkok, the whistle-blowing demonstration drew tens of thousands of white-collar protesters who took over Sukhumvit Road.
Asoke intersection is an interchange for BTS sky trains and MRT underground trains.
Several political activists including Kaewsan Atipothi, former member of the Assets Examination Committee, made their speeches to the crowd which jointly blew whistles at 12.34 pm and dispersed an hour later.
