via CAAI News Media
BANGKOK, March 26 (TNA) - The government may decide to impose the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the resort town of Hua Hin during the Mekong summit to be held there from April 2-5, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Friday.
Mr Abhisit and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban left the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bangkok where they have been staying during the Red Shirt mass protest to Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan, about 200 kilometres southwest of Bangkok.
They travelled to inspect the venue of the First Mekong River Commission Summit, involving Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.
The prime minister said if it is necessary, the government may invoke the Internal Security Act to allow itself more flexibility in controlling the situation.
However, it will be evaluated again if it is needed. The government can control the situation at the moment, he said.
Mr Abhisit also said he did not ignore the parliament dissolution as demanded by the protesters. However, negotiation must be done step by step. Representatives of the two sides should find conclusion before being proposed to him, he said.
The Red Shirt protesters, many of whom are supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, began their demonstration in the capital on March 13. They want to topple the government, which they claim has no legitimacy to rule the country.
The government enforced the ISA in eight provinces including Bangkok and adjacent provinces from March 11 to 23 and later extended it to March 30 but reduced the areas to cover only Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan where Suvarnabhumi Airport is located.
The Red Shirts stormed last year's ASEAN summit in the seaside resort town of Pattaya on April 11 last year, forcing its cancellation.
Mr Abhisit also said he would consider again this week whether he would travel to visit Brunei and Bahrain April 29-31 or not. (TNA)
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