| Internal Security Act Rolled Out in Thailand | | | | King Rama V's Equestrian Statue. The main stage |
| Anticipating trouble in the wake of the upcoming | | | | of the rally would be at Ratchadarnnoen Klang |
| anti government mass protest marches by the | | | | road's Phan Fa Leeland Bridge. |
| left wing Red Shirts, the government of Thailand | | | | Regions Covered by ISA |
| has implemented the Internal Security Act (ISA) | | | | As per Panithan Wattanayakorn, the |
| in Thailand and seven nearby areas. The act | | | | spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, ISA |
| empowers the Internal Security Operations | | | | would be enforced throughout Bangkok and |
| Command with the following powers: | | | | Nonthaburi as well as some districts of Ayutthaya, |
| - Allowing state officials to take any step to | | | | Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Prakarn, |
| curtail illegal activities. | | | | Chachoengsao, and Samut Sakorn. Although, |
| - Protect the life and property of people by | | | | rallying would be permitted, but the police and |
| ensuring that no malicious actions are carried out | | | | military forces would have every right to ensure |
| with explosive related electronic equipment. | | | | that peace is maintained and public property is not |
| - Sealing of any locality or building during its | | | | damaged. |
| operational hours, with the exception of | | | | Economic Fallout of the Scenario |
| permission from a designated official. | | | | Among the chief concerns is the possible closure |
| - Curtailing the carrying of weapons outside | | | | of Bangkok's airports by protestors. Bangkok is a |
| dwelling places. | | | | hub for many international full service as well as |
| - Enforcing curfew orders by restricting exit from | | | | low cost airlines with travellers vying to book |
| dwelling places. | | | | cheap flights to this exciting destination and in |
| - Prohibiting or providing restricted access to | | | | case of such a development, the country's |
| vehicles in certain areas. | | | | economy will suffer a crippling blow. However, the |
| Duration and Sites of the Protest | | | | Red Shirts have assured not to close any airports. |
| The protests has already started on 12 March | | | | Mr. Quinton Quayle, the UK ambassador to |
| and expected to continue till 23 March. Its | | | | Bangkok also raised the issue with the opposition |
| covering almost 10 sites, namely Nonthaburi City | | | | party Puea Thai, who are Red Shirts |
| Hall, the town hall of Samut Prakan province, | | | | sympathisers. |
| Lumpini Park, King Taksin Memorial on Wong Wien | | | | Expectedly, the market sentiment is far from |
| Yai Circle, Tung Song Hong, Din Daeng, Laksi | | | | robust. February saw a sharp decline in indices. In |
| monument, two sites in Pathum Thani province's | | | | fact, the central bank of Thailand released a |
| Lamlukka district, and Bangna. The protests would | | | | statement that it was deliberating a rise in rates |
| move to Ratchadamnoen Road on 14 March. | | | | to normalise policy settings. However, the political |
| The main Bangkok rally would take place on 14 | | | | unrest has upset the timing. |
| March covering the area from Sanam Laung to | | | | |