Thailand beefs ups security for ASEAN summit to be held in July
The Thai cabinet has approved the use of a law that will put the army in charge of security at a regional summit in Thailand in July. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has said that the Internal Security Act was being invoked in Phuket and the surrounding area to ensure the safety of all delegates at the ASEAN forum on the resort Island.
This act allows the army to order curfews and restrict freedom of movements in situations deemed harmful to national security. It also allows the army to detain suspects without trial and restrict access to electronic equipment – a clause that critics say will allow censorship of Internet and tapping of phone.
The Prime Minister has said that the cabinet has agreed to declare the internal security act on Phuket and 5 KM around the tourist island from July 10 to 24th for the ASEAN forum.
The previous meeting for the summit was supposed to have been in April but was cancelled at the lat moment when anti government protestors forced an embarrassing, premature end to the summit. Two days of deadly rioting ensued in Bangkok and a state of emergency was declared in the capital. The leaders’ meeting has now been postponed until October.
The ministerial meeting in Phuket runs from July 16 to 24, although ministers will not arrive until July 19.