Thailand lifts Internal Security Act in Bangkok






BANGKOK: The Thai government has lifted the Internal Security Act (ISA) invoked in some parts of the capital as the security situation returned to normalcy following an anti-government rally.

Government spokesman Tosaporn Sereerak said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra signed the order on Monday.

Initially, the ISA was invoked for nine days starting last Thursday in the Pranakorn, Dusit and Pomprabsattrupai districts, close to the Royal Plaza, following anticipation that violence may occur during the anti-government rally there last Saturday.

The rally, organised by the Pitak Siam group, however, attracted some 20,000 protesters, far short of the target of one million people.

Eighty-two people, consisting of protesters, policemen and a soldier, sustained minor injuries during the rally.

The invocation of the ISA, among others, allows the mobilisation of soldiers to help the police to control the security situation and imposition of curfew.

Police have already stopped blocking roads around Government House and Parliament.

But anti-riot police are still protecting Parliament, where a no-confidence debate against the government of Yingluck Shinawatra is into its second day.

The debates will run till Tuesday, to be followed by a no-confidence vote on Wednesday.

The opposition Democrat Party has accused Prime Minister Yingluck of allowing corruption, and of being a puppet for her fugitive brother, ousted premier Thaksin.

But the motions, which also target three other ministers, are not likely to pass, as the legislature is dominated by the ruling Puea Thai party and its coalition partners.

- BERNAMA/CNA/de



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Thailand lifts Internal Security Act in Bangkok