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Published on October 17, 2007

A revised version of the Internal Security Bill has been given the Cabinet okay. The legislation now gives a prime minister sole authority to limit personal freedom in a national crisis, a government spo-kesman said.

The previous draft of the bill was criticised because it placed this and other powers in the hands of the Army chief.

Opponents said the previous bill would turn the country into a military state because it put the Army chief in charge of many government agencies, and was an automatic extension of military power into politics.

Spokesman Chaiya Yimwi-lai said the Council of State had revised the legislation that now placed these powers in the hands of the prime minister.

The new bill, obtained by The Nation, makes the prime minister the director of the Internal Security Operations Command, or Isoc. The Army chief has been downgraded to deputy director.

The bill retains almost all features of the previous law. The Isoc director maintains complete power over all government departments in a national-security crisis.

The director can impose martial law and curfews, restrict individuals' movements, order vehicle searches and prohibit public gatherings.

Deputy Prime Minister Sonthi Boonyaratglin said the new bill would aid national security and was "acceptable" legislation.

"It will be acceptable for the people because the Council of State has revised it and taken authority away from the Army," he explained.

He did not comment on the law's ability to allow authorities to manipulate the December election but said there were several areas of national security that required the bill's legal instruments.

Chaiya said duplications with other legislation such as emergency laws allowing prime ministers to declare a state of emergency had been altered.

The executive can declare a state of emergency now, but for a maximum of three months, when the decisions needs review. The bill has removed the need for that renewal.

 Piyanart Srivalo

 The Nation