Authorities:ISA has been strictly enforced

BANGKOK, August 2 (TNA) - Thai National Police Chief Police General Adul Saengsingkaew says that authorities concerned have strictly enforced the Internal Security Act (ISA) imposed in three certain areas in Bangkok in the vicinity of the Government House and the Thai Parliament. Expressing worries over a possible political turbulence during next week's House debate on a controversial draft amnesty, Police General Adul, also Director of the government's Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order, warned people on Friday that they must not violate the ISA, as the authorities concerned have strictly enforced the special law. The government has imposed the ISA in Bangkok’s three districts, including Dusit, Prom Prap Sattru Phai and Phra Nakorn, from August 1-10, covering the Parliament building and nearby areas during the House debate of the draft amnesty bill, scheduled for August 7. Concerns over the upcoming planned rallies, by civic groups opposing the draft amnesty bill, have also been aired by Payungsak Chartsuthipol, Chairman of Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), who acknowledged private business operators are worried that the planned demonstrations should affect Thailand’s competiveness amid rapidly-changing global economy. According to the FTI chief, the private business operators want the rallies to be organised peacefully so that it will not disrupt the national economy, which is now expected to grow by 4.5-4.8 per cent in 2013. (TNA)