Thailand imposes security law ahead of protests

Feb 8, 2011, 10:34 GMT

Bangkok - The Thai cabinet Tuesday approved the imposition of a strict security law in parts of Bangkok to better cope with a series of anti-government protests planned this month.

The Interal Security Act, which empowers police to prohibit demonstrations that disrupt traffic in public places, will be imposed in seven city district from Wednesday until February 23.

Police asked for the imposition of the act to facilitate handling the ultra-nationalist People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), that has been protesting outside Government House - the administration's main office compound - since January 25.

The PAD, also known as the yellow shirts for their preferred protest garb, have threatened to stage a mass demonstration Friday against the government's handling of a border conflict with Cambodia.

The ultra-nationalist movement wants Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resign for failing to reclaim disputed land adjacent to the Preah Vihear temple on the Thai-Cambodian border.

Thai and Cambodian troops clashed in the disputed zone several times since Friday, leaving at least seven dead and dozens injured and forcing 25,000 to flee their homes on both sides of the border.

The PAD's months of continuous protests in Bangkok in 2008 were partly responsible for the collapse of the previous government.

Although once supportive of the Democrats, who lead the current coalition government, the movement has now turned on Abhisit.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), also called the red shirts, have threatened to protest on February 13 and 19 against Abhisit's crackdown on their movement last year.

The UDD held protests in Bangkok from March to May, leading to street battles that claimed more than 90 lives.

Bangkok was under the Emergency Decree from early April to late December, giving authorities special powers above those granted by the Internal Security Act.

The decree also places crowd control under the military, while the police are responsible for imposing the security act.

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