Thai PM returns from E Africa, faces political crux

BANGKOK, August 2 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has returned home, after her official visits to three Eastern African nations from July 28-August 2, and she is now facing, among others, an emerging domestic political crux. Speaking to journalists upon her arrival at Thailand's main Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Friday morning, after concluding her six-day official trips to Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda, Yingluck acknowledged that she is worried over the planned demonstrations by various groups opposing the draft amnesty bill, set for a House debate on August 7, and she has, thus, ordered officers concerned to provide security to people, especially those travelling near rally sites. Yingluck also urged those planning to attend the rallies to keep peace and not to violate the law. Touching on a request by Uthai Pimchaichon, a former Thai parliament president, for a withdrawal of both the draft amnesty bill and the draft reconciliation bill from the Lower House, Yingluck noted that such the decision needs to be made by government whip and MPs. Colonel Banphot Poolpian, Spokesman of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), revealed that the ISOC will, from August 4 onward, evaluate the domestic political situation on a daily basis, but insisting no unusual incidents have been detected so far. According to the ISOC spokesman, if no violence occurs, the 10-day ISA enforcement, since August 1, aimed at curbing rallies and maintaing peace and order, can even be lifted earlier. (TNA)