People's Army continues rally despite lifting of ISA
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AN ANTI-GOVERNMENT group continued rallying at Lumpini Park yesterday despite the fact that the government has lifted the Internal Security Act imposed in three Bangkok districts.
National Police chief General Adul Saengsingkaew yesterday thanked the 3,700 police officers deployed when the ISA was imposed on August 1, saying they had done a good job in enforcing the law and preventing protesters from entering the restricted areas.
Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog said the anti-government People’s Army to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime can continue rallying at Lumpini Park as it is within their rights and should clashes break out, the Metropolitan and Special Branch police can handle the situation.
However, he said, security officers have been tasked with closely watching the group’s movements.
Pracha went on to say that though this group will possibly head to Government House or Parliament, there should be no problems provided the traffic or other people’s rights do not get affected.
As to whether the ISA would be imposed again, Pracha said that was entirely up to the Internal Security Operations Command.
Admiral Chai Suwannaphap, leader of the People’s Army to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime, said that though more supporters were joining the rally, many of them were doubtful if this movement can be taken seriously. He went on to say that the lifting of the ISA does not affect his group as they were not planning to move to the areas in question. As for whether a red-shirt community radio group would rally near the Parliament compound, he said his group had nothing to do with that.
Somchai Chatsakunpen, deputy director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Environmental Office, said he had asked the protesters to remain outside the park as residents complained they could not do their exercises conveniently. However, he added, he had yet to speak to the protest leaders again.
Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said he had told his ministry officials to inform foreign missions in Bangkok that the ISA has been lifted, adding that he was meeting with ambassadors and diplomats on Tuesday to give them a translated version of the amnesty bill.
