Court rejects ordering protester evictions, special law already gives authority

BANGKOK, April 5 (TNA) – Thailand’s Civil Court has rejected the government’s request for a legal order to evict protesters from Bangkok’s prime business area of Ratchaprasong, saying it already has full authority to enforce expulsions under the Internal Security Act (ISA) that has been enforced in Bangkok since March 11.

The anti-government ‘Red-Shirt’ United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Saturday sent some protesters from Phan Fa Bridge, its main protest site, to rally at Ratchaprasong intersection, paralysing traffic and forcing closure of several nearby luxury malls frequented by high-end shoppers and tourists.

The Red Shirts announced they would stay put at the two locations until Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva announced a House dissolution for fresh general elections.

The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), authorised under the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), filed a complaint with the Civil Court for an order to force the Red Shirt protesters to leave the capital’s prime commercial centre and not to enter 11 roads which were considered critical business and public areas.

The Court said the ISA has power to immediately enforce a removal and that it was not necessary to seek the court’s approval for any legal action.

Any violator must be punished under the ISA and the ISOC has the authority to carry out what it considered appropriate and necessary to enforce the law, said the Court.

After the Court’s ruling, demonstrating that he did not understand the Court action, UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan told the cheering Red Shirt supporters that It was clear that Mr Abhisit could not do everything in Thailand.

He said their demonstration was constitutional and they will continue to press for House dissolution to return power to people.

In related developments, Red Shirt leader Natthawut Saikua said that in defying CAPO order, the Red Shirt protesters on Tuesday at 11am would move from Phan Fa Bridge on Ratchadamnorn Avenue to 11 roads that CAPO announced off limits to protesters.

He said the only one motorcade, to be led by Arisman Pongreungrong, Suporn Atthawong, Kwanchai Praipana and Payap Pankate, would not stop at any location and would return to their protest site at Phan Fa Bridge and Ratchaprosong intersection.

CAPO on Sunday issued its 6th statement to prohibit protesters from entering the areas, unless permitted by the concerned authority — Rama IV from Sathorn to Samyan intersection; Sathorn from Rama IV to the intersection with Charoenkrung; Silom from Rama IV to the intersection with Charoenkrung; Surawongse from Rama IV to the intersection with Charoenkrung; Charoenkrung from Surawongse to the intersection with Sathorn; Rajdamri from BTS Rajdamri station to the intersection with Rama IV; Phyathai from Samyan intersection to Rajthevi intersection; Ratchadapisek from the intersection with Sukhumvit to the intersection with Rama IV; Dindaeng from the ntersection with Ratchadapisek to the intersection with Thaveemitr; Thaveemitr; Ratchadapisek from its intersection with Dindaeng to the intersection with Ratchadapisek Soi 8.

Those in violation may be jailed for a maximum of one year, or fined a maximum of Bt20,000 baht. (TNA)