NLA passes controversial Internal Security Act

After fivehours of intense debate in the legislative body, 101 members voted in favour of the bill, while only 20 voted against and two abstained.

The members who have military background, such as former army chief of staff Chockchai Hongthong said the country needed the act just as a living thing needed oxygen. People must sacrifice their basic rights for the security of the country, he said.

Former security chief Prasong Soonsiri opposed the act, saying it gave excessive power to the military to prohibit people's freedom of movement.

The law overrules other existing security laws including Martial Law, the Emergency Law as well as the Penal Code, he said.