No need to use ISA, Emergency Decree when Red Shirts rally at Khao Yai Thiang

BANGKOK, Jan 8 (TNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban believes there is no need for the government to implement the Internal Security Act (ISA) or an Emergency Decree to maintain law and order when the Red Shirt group demonstrates at the home of Privy Councilor and former prime minister Surayud Chulanont’s home in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Mr Suthep said he will meet Friday with Acting National Police Chief Pol Gen. Patheep Tanprasert and senior police officers to discuss the general security situation and expects to map out security measures to respond to the planned rally of the anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), the Red Shirts, at Gen. Surayud’s home.

The UDD movement announced they will rally at the hillside vacation home of the former prime minister at Khao Yai Thiang in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima Monday to call attention to what they branded as the government’s practice of double standards.

The Red Shirts accuse the government of ignoring the alleged encroachment of the national forest reserve at Khao Yai Thiang by Gen. Surayud and his wife.

The deputy premier said he believed that the police alone will be sufficient to maintain law and order and to prevent any clash between UDD supporters and local residents who may disagree with the demonstration.

Enforcing either the ISA or an Emergency Decree will not be necessary, the deputy prime minister said.

As for the news report that the UDD would block the Mitrapap Highway, Mr Suthep said that anyone violating the law will be prosecuted.

Political expression must be carried out within the framework of Thailand’s laws, he said, adding that rallies can always be staged and be prolonged as well, but demonstrators must not violate the law, or damage the country and the public. (TNA)