The imposition of the Internal Security Act from Sept 18 to 22 in Bangkok’s Dusit district will boost the confidence of investors and the general public, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said on Tuesday.

“The only point to be concerned about is that a third hand might take this opportunity to provoke unrest, which could affect the confidence of investors as happened during the Songkran riots in April,” Mr Korn said.

The minister said the government has the right to invoke the security law to ensure that the rights of the majority  will not be abused by ill-intentioned groups. Use of the law should generate both public and business confidence.

Asked about criticism that useof the security law could hurt the country’s image, Mr Korn said the government must have precautionary measures to deal with the protesters

“If the government did not invoke the security law, the confidence of the people and investors could suffer much more,'' he said.

The government was demonstrating it was prepared to maintain peace and order, to prevent any possible negative impact on the economy, particularly on trade and investment.

This was the responsibility of the government and investors would understand this, Mr Korn said.