Security agencies want Security Act pre-approved ahead of protests
Play
Security agencies will ask the Cabinet to consider approving ahead of time the use of the Internal Security Act so that it could be enforced should extra measures become necessary to handle expected protests against the amnesty bill late this week, Nation
A meeting of senior officials presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog reviewed the situation ahead of the convening of a new session of Parliament tomorrow. The bill itself is due to be deliberated by the Lower House on August 7.
Participants in the meeting anticipated there would be many groups bringing large numbers of protesters to the capital to demonstrate against the bill, Paradorn said. The protests could last for at least a week starting tomorrow, he said.
The NSC would submit an assessment of the situation made by security agencies at yesterday’s meeting for the Cabinet’s consideration at a special session today, he said.
“If it becomes necessary, we would enforce the security act only in specific locations and for short periods,” he said.
The coalition parties have decided against altering any content of an amnesty bill proposed by Pheu Thai MP Worachai Hema so that the bill can be passed quickly, Chat Thai Pattana Party chief adviser Banharn Silpa-archa said yesterday.
He said coalition party leaders agreed the bill would not be passed in three readings in a single sitting when Parliament deliberates the bill on August 7.
Anti-government groups have threatened to move against the drive to bring about a speedy passage of the bill, by not allowing all concerned parties to discuss the amnesty law.
Banharn said that after the House accepts the bill in principle, a committee would be appointed to vet it within seven days. The coalition party leaders also decided that not one line of the bill should be changed. He personally believed the bill would be beneficial to all parties and political colours.
Commerce Minister Niwatthumrong Boonsongpaisan said a meeting of coalition party leaders did not discuss the possibility of imposing the security law in light of anti-government protests against the amnesty bill.
Meanwhile, opposition chief whip Jurin Laksanawisit said the opposition had resolved not to accept Worachai’s amnesty bill in principle on grounds that it discriminates against certain people, thereby violating of Article 30 of the Constitution. This runs counter to the rule of the law and would not help to bring about national reconciliation as claimed, Jurin said.
