• 
• 

The move seen as the government's strategy to control anti-government rallies by its arch opponent the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Monday had Government Spokesman distribute to Government House reporters papers having a content of Article 63 of the Constitution which guarantees the public the right to gather in protest without arms.

Government Spokesman Wichianchot Sukchotrat said the government would add some content to Article 63 of the Constitution to stipulate that "A person shall enjoy the liberty to assemble peacefully and without arms and without wrongful accusations to defam others and without instigating and misleading the public, without using the media to support their campaigns, without forcing and hiring any groups to join the protest.

hoosak said once this Article is amended in this way, the PAD would not be able to hold its rally and defam others without basis in fact.

During his "Talk Samak Style" programme on Sunday, Samak accused the People's Alliance for Democracy of opposing the Constitution amendment because it feared of losing the right to protest.

Choosak said the government had the right to restrict individuals' liberty in holding a peaceful gathering on the basis of securing public convenience in the use of public places. "If the gatherings block traffic or public way, we must issue a law to deal with the problem,'' he said.

He said there was a need to establish law an order on public gathering. The government would consider on whether protesters must seek permission for their gatherings and whether there should be a committee to oversee the matter and what other restrictions should be established.


Article 63 stipulates that a person shall enjoy the liberty to assemble
peacefully and without arms.

The restriction on such liberty under paragraph one shall not be imposed except by virtue of the law specifically enacted for the case of public assembling and for securing public convenience in the use of public places or for maintaining public
order during the time when the country is in a state of war, or when a state of emergency or martial law is declared.