BANGKOK, Oct 11 – Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has instructed the authorities in the capital to use the Internal Security Act (ISA) in three key districts of Bangkok to maintain law and order even though anti-government demonstrators who have camped outside Government House have moved their rally site to other locations
Deputy Premier Pol Gen Pracha Promnog, who oversees the country’s national security, reported on the situation to Ms Yingluck after protesters from the so-called People’s Army against the Thaksin Regime ended their rally near Government House where visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang received an official welcome on a state visit which began this afternoon.
The protesters split into two groups — one moving back to their first rally site in Lumpini Park, while another is protesting at Urupong intersection in Ratchathewi district, closer to Government House.
As the protesters did not say whether they will return to Government House or not, he said security measures will be tightened at highest level to prevent any untoward incident during the Chinese premier’s visit.
Gen Pracha added the prime minister has instructed that the security law be imposed until the situation returns to normal.
As the ISA is now enforced in Dusit, Phra Nakhorn and Pom Prab Sattru Phai districts, and the protest has moved to Ratchathewi district, Gen Pracha said National Police Chief Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew who heads the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) will consider whether the security act should be extended to other districts and will give his assessment to the Cabinet for approval.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan commented after Molotov cocktails (petrol bombs) were thrown into the People’s Army’s rally site at Urupong intersection last night the authorities believe that third parties might intervene to create disturbances.
He noted that the protesters are the victims of those who want to cause violence and the bombing is the sign of intensified protest.
Mr Charupong said the Urupong intersection is an open area, making it more difficult for security surveillance. He called on the protesters to return to Lumpini Park for their safety as it is enclosed location.
