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Published on July 16, 2007

Legislator Gothom Arya wants vigorous and broad debate over the Internal Security Bill.

The National Legislative Assembly people's participation committee chairman said it would hold a forum on the bill today starting at 9am at Parliament, but he still wanted wider discussion about the controversial bill.

"This will be a huge issue. It can lead to divided views. So, we must find an agreeable resolution," he said.

Today's discussions will be reported to the assembly and published for those interested in the views expressed - including Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, he said.

Many want the bill withdrawn and opponents are expected to step up criticism of its content, he said.

If Surayud is genuine in his public comments calling for broader debate on the bill he should ask the National Economic and Social Advisory Council to conduct debates and focus groups, Gothom said. Gothom is chairman of the council.

Rights advocates and news-media associations last week protested the bill that has been approved in principle by the Cabinet and will go before the assembly soon.

Constitution Drafting Committee and its people's rights group member Choochai Supawongse said an interim government should not pass laws affecting liberties but should wait for an elected government.

At least, the government should allow wider discussion of the law if it believes current decrees for states of emergency are inapplicable, he said.

"It is controversial if the chief for internal security comes from the administration or the Army. The assembly should scrutinise this carefully so it can answer questions. If this is not urgent, we should wait for an elected government," Choochai said.

Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratglin said developed countries including the United States and the United Kingdom as well as neighbours like Singapore and Malaysia had similar laws and even homeland security ministries.

Thailand should adopt and adapt good things of others for itself. However, state officials must know their limits, he said.

Council deputy chairman and Air Force commander-in-chief Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukphasuk said the law would not give the military too much power.

A prime minister makes decisions to invoke its laws and the Internal Security Operations Command director operates under him, he said.

"As far as I know, the content of the law is about controlling of the use of decrees for states of emergency - which is not so different. The [prime minister] controls its use. The Isoc director is instructed by the country's leader," he said.

Speakers at today's discussion include members of the military, political scientists Panitan Wattanayakorn of Chulalongkorn University and Chaiwat Satha-anand of Thammasat. Somchai Homla-or of the Lawyers Council of Thailand will appear, Gothom said.

Sathien Viriyapanpongsa,

Kornchanok Raksaseri,

Panya Thiewsangwan

The Nation