According to Thai news agency (TNA), Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on August 29 that the four-day instatement of the Internal Security Act (ISA) would not be revoked and that security personnel will remain on duty in Bangkok's Dusit district to monitor the situation as ealier determined.
Since the key leaders of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) decided to postpone their mass rally to September 5, PM Abhisit said his Cabinet will discuss on September 1 whether the ISA covering will continue to be enforced after that.
The PM said the government imposed the heightened security measure to maintain order and prevent violence, but not meant to stop protesters from joining the rally or protesting at all.
The so-called Red Shirts earlier in the day announced the postponement of their large-scale demonstration, citing the government’s imposition of the ISA as an exaggerated and unnecessary response.
The PM said the ISA remains in force until September 1. Security personnel will remain in the area to evaluate and monitor the situation there for one more day.
Following his statement, the First Army Area Commander Lt-Gen Kanit Sapithak said that the number of military personnel deployed around Government House and the royal palace compound has been decreased to an appropraite amount to maintain order in Dusit district, especially in high-risk areas.