The caretaker government's Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) will abide by the Civil Court's set of orders mainly to prohibit dispersal of anti-government protesters, National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabut said on Thursday.
The CMPO member told reporters that the centre will adjust its tactics in dealing with the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).
CMPO members, chaired by Chalerm Yubamrung, meet to discuss ways to tackle anti-government protests in Bangkok. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)
"From now on, our operation will focus more on individuals and those who openly commit offences.
"Although we may face some limitations (from the court order), there are other ways we can carry out our operation," Lt Gen Paradorn said.
On the PDRC's move to put pressure on the Shinawatra family’s business interests by leading protesters to rally in front of Shinawatra Tower 3 on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road on Thursday morning, Lt Gen Paradorn said the anti-government group had now shifted its attention to specific targets and its protest infringed the rights of other people.
Caretaker Labour Minister and CMPO director Chalerm Yubamrung said the centre will petition the Cout of Appeal to clarify whether protesters who are armed, occupy government offices, obstruct the traffic flow and surround private firm's premises are considered a "peaceful rally", as set down by the Civil Court.
"I want to know whether police can arrest and prosecute them, and if such action would violate the court's order," Mr Chalerm said. "If the court says no, the CMPO will abide by its order."
The CMPO had no plans to disperse the PDRC's rally sites, he added.
The Civil Court on Wednesday ruled the government has the authority to enforce the emergency decree, but not to the extent of using force to break up the PDRC's "peaceful and unarmed" demonstrations. The court issued a nine-point order to the government.
The Civil Court's ruling was sought by Thaworn Senneam, a PDRC core member.
He petitioned the court to order caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, CMPO director Chalerm and national police chief Adul Saengsingkaew to lift the emergency decree imposed in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and parts of Pathum Thani and Samut Prakan provinces.