Published on July 18, 2005

Three southernmost provinces and parts of Songkhla to come under prime minister’s direct control; measures to be decided today

All three southernmost provinces, together with four districts in Songkhla, are to be declared as “emergency zones” after executive decree giving special powers to the prime minister took effect yesterday.

Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya, who oversees security matters, will call a meeting of security agencies today to prepare the way for introducing a tough crackdown under the auspices of the new law.

Chidchai said he would propose the declaration of zones of emergency following a meeting this morning at which Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is expected to decide which of his deputies will chair an emergency committee to enforce the new law.

The new law has prompted strong reactions from civic groups which argue that it violates many basic rights.

The Campaign for Popular Democracy and its allies plan to file a case with the Constitution Court’s ombudsman this week to ask for a ruling on the edict’s constitutionality. But if parliamentarians decide to take action first the groups won’t file the case, said Suriyasai Katasila, the campaign’s secretary-general.

The chairman of the Senate’s social development and human security committee, Nirand Pitakwatchara, said the Senate would open a session to debate the executive decree.

A certain group of senators plan to gather signatures from one-fifth of the 200 members in the upper house asking the Constitution Court to rule on whether the decree is unconstitutional.

The group urged the National Conciliation Commission (NRC), which has championed peace in the deep South, to take action as well, saying the new law made its work irrelevant.

“Issuing such a law means Prime Minister Thaksin has rejected the NRC, taking the opportunity to consolidate his power,” Nirand said.

Suriyasai suggested yesterday that the commission’s members should resign in protest over the government’s move.

The NRC’s chairman, Anand Panyarachun, will today chair a working group meeting on the issue, and a mass resignation might be taken discussed, said Piphop Thongchai, a commission member.

Another NRC member, Paisal Promyong, said the government had broken an agreement that it would consult the panel on any attempts to terminate martial law and replace it with new laws aimed at curbing violence in the South.

“He [Thaksin] promised to seek advice from us, but he didn’t,” Paisal said. “So, how can we trust the prime minister when he imposes this executive decree in such an improper way, that he won’t use it to abuse other people?”

The Cabinet approved the executive decree and submitted it for royal approval on the day after a coordinated attack on Muang Yala on Thursday night which included a series of bombings.

The new law, which takes power from the military, allows the prime minister – with the consent of hisCabinet – to announce states of emergency, impose curfews, detain suspects without charges and tap phones, as well as censure news. It will be used to replace martial law in the restive South.

Supinya Klangnarong, secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Media Reform, said the new decree damages freedom of expression.

“It creates tension and fear among people,” she said. “This kind of atmosphere will never bring peace to the region.”

Chidchai promised that the government would apply the law leniently to “friendly media”.

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