Cabinet approves ISA for all Bangkok

The cabinet on Tuesday morning approved the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA) throughout Bangkok from Nov 28 to Dec 14 to cope with the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship's plan for prolonged anti-government protests.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Monday that the ISA would be limited to only in Dusit and nearby Sommanas and Bang Khun Phrom sub-districts.

However, the cabinet decided to invoke it in the entirety of Bangkok since the red-shirts had declared they would rally from Nov 28 to Dec 2 and planned to split into groups that would rally separately at many different locations in the capital city on Nov 30.

"The cabinet made this decision because the protesters may go separately to many different locations.  Moreover, the wider coverage of the law will enable security units to effectively perform their duty throughout Bangkok. 

''It may be recalled that when the red-shirts rallied at the Victory Monument in April, the authorities could not take action against them," government deputy spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said.

On a suggestion that the ISA should also be imposed in Chiang Mai to ensure the safety of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva during his visit to the province, Mr Supachai said the prime minister wanted this idea put on hold pending an assessment of the situation.