Text of PM's TV speech

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Published: 22 Nov 2012 at 21.54
Online news: Local News

Following is the official text of the televised speech to the nation by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Thursday night on invoking the Internal Security Act. The text was provided by Government House.

My fellow Thai citizens,. I wish to inform you of the reasons behind the Government's decision to announce the use of the Internal Security Act BE 2551 (2008) (ISA) in three districts of Bangkok, namely Phra Nakorn, Pomprab Sattrupai, and Dusit, and the setting up of. the "Law and Order Administrative Centre" under the command of the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police. The ISA will be effective from 22 to 30 November 2012. I would like to emphasise that the Government fully adhere to the democratic system of government with the monarchy as Head of State. The Government believes in freedom of expression and is convinced that the Parliament is the place for the people's representatives to settle differences in viewpoints and resolve political conflicts. This is the appropriate channel in accordance with democratic rule. The Parliament also has the duty of monitoring the work of the Government, as demonstrated by the no-confidence motion that will take place in the next few days. On my part, I stand ready to listen to the diversity of view and offer my explanations in accordance with the democratic parliamentary system.I became Prime Minister through free and fair elections by the people, under the democratic process with the monarchy as Head of State. I maintain that all the decisions that I and the Government have made, have been and will be in the best interests of the Thai people. It is my duty to protect the revered institutions of the nation, religion, and the monarchy.Being a democracy nevertheless, is not only about exercising ones' freedoms. The rule of law must also be observed and obeyed. Our society can co-exist only if there are rules and boundaries for the exercise of rights and freedoms. By exercising these rights and freedom, it must not impinge on the rights and freedoms of others. Indeed, it is our common duty to protect our democracy so that it is not threatened by those who prefer otherwise.Public gatherings and protests, especially those arising from public grievances, is provided for...

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tomo
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Discussion 15 : 23 Nov 2012 at 20.3415
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Well Spoken Domdunn,and well done to PM Yingluck.Good to let Foreigners and tourists now whats going on because she is democratically elected not put into place in an army barracks like the last so called govertment that didnt want anyone apart from Thai People to now what was going on.Read the Thai Raith paper and it reports in more detail than the BP and Nation put together because its in Thai.But some foreigners can read Thai and have Thai wifes.Welldone Yingluck for imforming Tourists.
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pquinlan
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Discussion 14 : 23 Nov 2012 at 10.2514
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D8: Keep telling yourself that Dom. You might even convince yourself one day. If that was their purpose, please explain to us all, including yourself, why did they first accept and then reject (after a very public text from Dubai) the offer of a November 2010 election which would have seen them in government 9 months earlier than they ultimately were?
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pquinlan
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Discussion 13 : 23 Nov 2012 at 10.1913
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Forgive me, but where is the actual reason? The actual piece of intelligence that has prompted this action?
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faceless
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Discussion 12 : 23 Nov 2012 at 08.3312
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Amazing diatribe posing as an address to the nation.

Shameless hypocisy.
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schuimpje
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Discussion 11 : 23 Nov 2012 at 08.2211
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D9: how is handpicking and grooming Abhisit's government by General Anupong any different from the PTP government being handpicked and groomed by Thaksin?
Current administration is even worse I'd say, they do not even think for themselves... Thaksin Thinks PTP Does...
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schuimpje
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Discussion 10 : 23 Nov 2012 at 07.4410
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Domdunn, red shirts did everything to destabilize the government with Thaksin stoking the fire with his calls.
Remember his call-in in 2009 about him coming back to lead them in their fight? Reminded me of WWII propaganda speeches...still gets me shivers..
Both 2009 and 2010 events had nothing to do with democracy, but everything with personal interests of Thaksin.
Reds where just being used as tools..
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johnb
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Discussion 9 : 23 Nov 2012 at 06.049
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D6: Abhisit's administration was handpicked & groomed by the 'coalition manager' General Anupong Poajinda, not elected by the people.What kind of democracy has a ruling party that has 33% less seats than their opposition as with the Dems & PPP? Unheard of!
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domdunnn
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Discussion 8 : 23 Nov 2012 at 05.028
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soltair D6

The UDD rallies did not seek to overthrow "an elected government and democratic rule", on the contrary their objective was exactly the opposite, to get the democratically dubious Abhisit government to resign and submit to the democratic process of elections.
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nui
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Discussion 7 : 23 Nov 2012 at 03.137
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The Constitution Court found no grounds to believe that the rally was aimed at overthrowing the country's democratic system of government, as had been claimed by Pheu Thai Party member Singthong Buachum. But PM Yingluck said in her speech,that people are mobilized by incitement, led by those who seek to overthrow an elected government and democratic rule - which is against the Constitution.
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soltair
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Discussion 6 : 23 Nov 2012 at 00.216
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Absolutely astonishing Ma'am, by this speech you set K Abhisit et all free from any future court actions which your Red friends so hard try to make happen. "But if a large number of people is mobilized by incitement, led by those who seek to overthrow an elected government and democratic rule - which is against the Constitution - and there is evidence that violence may be used to achieve those ends, then this is a case of national security. It is the government's duty etc." and "But most importantly, the government must protect the democratic system etc." You handed Abhisit's future defense on a silver platter, clever indeed.
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