On 10 October 2013, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a briefing for the diplomatic corps on the Cabinet decision of 9 October 2013 to invoke the Internal Security Act (ISA) B.E. 2551 (2008) effective for parts of three districts in Bangkok, namely, Dusit, Phra Nakhon and Pomprap Sattrupai, from 9 to 18 October 2013.  The briefing was given by Mr. Nopadol Gunavibool, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Pol. Col. Anucha Romyanan, Deputy Spokesperson, Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO). Gist as follows:

1. The ISA is being used as a preventive measure to maintain law and order due to intelligence reports suggesting a possible attempt by certain parties to instigate violence.  In carrying out their duties, the authorities will adhere to the principles of compassion, rule of law and democracy, as well as international standards and human rights through careful and appropriate measures.

2. The Government respects the people’s constitutional rights to freedom of political expression and peaceful assembly without arms, but the exercise of such rights must not infringe on the rights of others.

3. Operations by state officials will be based on equality, impartiality and non-discrimination.

4. Crowd control measures will be carried out only as necessary, in an appropriate, transparent and open manner, with utmost restraint and without creating conditions for violence.

5. The Government wishes to quickly resolve the situation, which is affecting public peace and order, to restore normalcy, and will consider lifting the ISA at the earliest opportunity.

6. In a positive sign, following negotiations between the police and protest leaders, the protesters have agreed to move their protest site from the Government House area to Lumpini Park in order to open normal public access to traffic routes.