Cabinet approves imposition of ISA in three Bangkok districts

BANGKOK, October 9 (TNA) – The Thai cabinet has approved an imposition of the Internal Security Act (ISA) in three Bangkok districts to handle anti-government protesters near the Government House. The cabinet reached its decision on Wednesday at a special session held to discuss ways to deal with the rally by the People’s Army Against Thaksin Regime, who have been gathering in front of the Government House for three consecutive days. The group shifted their protest site to the Government House on Monday. They had gathered at Lumpini Park since early August to protest against the government, particularly its decision to submit a charter amendment for royal endorsement. The special cabinet session was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Police General Pracha Promnog and also attended by senior security officials. The ISA is imposed in three Bangkok districts, namely Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Phra Nakorn and Dusit, which covers the Government House area, from October 9-18. It is aimed at preventing the rally from turning into violence. The ISA imposition came two days before an official visit of Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, who is scheduled to discuss bilateral relations with his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra this Friday. It also came after negotiations between senior police officers and members of the People’s Army Against Thaksin Regime became deadlocked. Senior police officers had asked core leaders of the People’s Army Against Thaksin Regime not to block roads leading to the Government House. But the latter reportedly asked the government to review its stiff measures dealing with the demonstrators. (TNA)