Thai PM holds teleconference with concerned authorities

BANGKOK, November 23 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday chaired a video conference with authorities concerned nationwide at Bangkok's Government House to brief them on her administration's updated security measures, plans to cope with, probably, natural disasters and countrywide activities to celebrate His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday on December 5, 2012. During the video conference, in which governors of all Thai provinces, provincial police chiefs and concerned Cabinet members and officials participated, Yingluck said she would like to see cooperation among all parties concerned nationwide in an integrated manner to take good care of people in their respective areas and to inform them of activities to be organized as part of the countrywide celebrations of His Majesty the King's birthday. Yingluck also ordered the parties concerned to ensure public safety during the upcoming Loy Kratong festivity nationwide and to be prepared for, probably, natural disasters, namely drought which has hit several areas in the country. The prime minister took the opportunity to inform the authorities concerned of the Cabinet's resolution, announced after its special meeting earlier in the day, on the temporary enforcement of the Internal Security Act or ISA, in three districts of the Thai capital, including Dusit, Phra Nakhon and Prom Prab Sattrupai, from November 22-30 to maintain peace and order as suggested by the National Security Council or NSA and the Internal Security Operations Command or ISOC, as an anti-government rally was set on November 24 and would, probably, be prolonged and affect the public. Meanwhile, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited international enjoys in Bangkok for a briefing on the government's temporary imposition of the ISA to handle the anti-government demonstration by the Pitak Siam group and to protect people lives and prevent damage to public property. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul told reporters that he believed the imposition of the ISA would not affect national image, as he had ensured the foreign diplomats that the Thai government would handle the protest peacefully in accordance with the United Nations’ principles. (TNA)