On 9 March 2010, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya briefed the diplomatic corps on the current political situation in Thailand in connection to the upcoming planned demonstrations by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and the security measures prepared in light of the situation. A total of 100 participants from various diplomatic missions and international organisations as well as representatives of the foreign business community, including 19 ambassadors, attended the event.

Foreign Minister Kasit informed the diplomatic corps that the Cabinet at today’s meeting approved the use of the Internal Security Act for the whole of the Bangkok metropolitan area and seven other provinces surrounding Bangkok from 11 to 23 March 2010 in light of the anti-government rally by the UDD, which is expected to start in provincial areas on 11 March 2010 and reach Bangkok on 13 March 2010. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has been charged with monitoring the overall security operation.

The Foreign Minister noted that, according to reports, the UDD core leaders have been traveling throughout the country to rally support from the provinces to join the mass demonstration in Bangkok. The objective of the UDD’s rally is to pressure the government to dissolve the House of Representatives and the Prime Minister to resign.

On security measures, Foreign Minister Kasit explained that the invocation of the ISA would enable security officials from civilian and law enforcement agencies to take effective and unified efforts in providing protection for the general public, including by giving them the authority to enforce related laws, such as those on land traffic, arms and firearms control and emergency medicine services. The Foreign Minister also gave assurances that all officials would proceed in accordance with the rule of law and with the utmost restraint, and that, if necessary, crowd control measures of international standards would be used.

Furthermore, there would be “rapid deployment units” consisting of both police and army officers stationed at each police station in Bangkok, which could be called upon to tackle any incidents of violence, should they occur. With the exception of these special units, the security forces would carry only riot gears (e.g. batons and shields) with no firearms.

The Foreign Minister reassured the diplomatic corps that the government was doing its best to provide the utmost security to all residents in Bangkok and Thailand, including the diplomatic corps and other foreigners. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs would also set up a 24-hour task force to assist the diplomatic community in answering questions and coordination with regard to any security needs.
 

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                                                      9 March 2010