Thailand imposes tough security law ahead of protests

Source: Reuters

Thailand's cabinet imposed on Tuesday a special security law in seven Bangkok districts, including its biggest shopping area and around government offices ahead of protests by nationalist "yellow shirt" activists.

The Internal Security Act was imposed in districts where the prime minister's office and parliament are located, said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.

"The cabinet approved the use of the law to maintain peace and safety in the area given the latest threats to step up protests," he said, adding the law would be in place Feb. 9-23, effectively prohibiting political protests.

The "yellow shirts", whose crippling rallies helped to bring Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to power, have turned against him in recent weeks, calling for him to take a tougher line against Cambodia over a disputed border area.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/08/thailand-politics-idUSTST00021620110208