Thailand may invoke internal security law: Deputy PM

BANGKOK, Nov 20 (TNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Friday said the government may invoke the Internal Security Act in response to the announced rally of the anti-government ‘Red Shirt’ United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) at the end of this month.

Prospective marchers have pledged to bring down the government.

The government will assess the situation with prudence, Mr Suthep said, and will consider which locations need to use the security act to avoid causing any disturbance to the public.

The plan to apply the security act will be proposed to the Cabinet next week, said the deputy prime minister.

The UDD announced their planned movements Thursday, saying they would continue rallying to oust the Abhisit Vejjajiva government until it leaves office, beginning November 28, but will recess for several days from December 2, during the king’s birthday observances.

UDD leader Nattawut Saikua said the rally will begin at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Road and that the participants will then march to Suan Misakawan intersection.

The protest will continue through December 2, with the organisers promising that more than one million Red Shirt activists will call for the end of the Democrat-led coalition government. (TNA)