BANGKOK: Thailand imposed a tough security law on Tuesday, giving authorities broad powers to control a street rally in Bangkok by nationalist "yellow shirt" protesters who have threatened to occupy government offices.
The Internal Security Act (ISA) allows authorities to impose curfews, operate checkpoints, restrict movements of protesters and act fast if rallies by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) turn violent or if they try to seize buildings.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the Thai cabinet approved the use of the ISA from Feb. 9 to Feb. 23 in seven districts, covering the prime minister's office, parliament and the busy Rajprasong shopping district in central Bangkok.
"The cabinet approved the use of the law to maintain peace and safety," said Panitan.
The "yellow shirts", whose crippling rallies helped to bring Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to power, have turned against him recently, calling for him to take a tougher line against Cambodia over a disputed border area.
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