Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BANGKOK6821
2006-11-09 11:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
NLA VOTES TO LIFT BAN ON POLITICAL GATHERINGS
how-toVZCZCXRO4412 OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHBK #6821 3131121 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 091121Z NOV 06 FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2873 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3233 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 6303 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 2352 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHFJSCC/COMMARFORPAC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 006821
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PACOM FOR FPA HUSO
NSC FOR MORROW
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM TH
SUBJECT: NLA VOTES TO LIFT BAN ON POLITICAL GATHERINGS
REF: A. BANGKOK 06352 (LIFTING THE BAN ON POLITICAL
MEETINGS)
B. BANGKOK TH 090350Z NOV 06 (INSIGHTS ON MOD
CONCERNS ON INTERNAL INSTABILITY)
C. BANGKOK TH 080705Z NOV 06 (MARTIAL LAW IN
THAILAND BEING RETAINED)
Classified By: Political Counselor Susan Sutton for reason 1.4 (b)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 006821
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PACOM FOR FPA HUSO
NSC FOR MORROW
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM TH
SUBJECT: NLA VOTES TO LIFT BAN ON POLITICAL GATHERINGS
REF: A. BANGKOK 06352 (LIFTING THE BAN ON POLITICAL
MEETINGS)
B. BANGKOK TH 090350Z NOV 06 (INSIGHTS ON MOD
CONCERNS ON INTERNAL INSTABILITY)
C. BANGKOK TH 080705Z NOV 06 (MARTIAL LAW IN
THAILAND BEING RETAINED)
Classified By: Political Counselor Susan Sutton for reason 1.4 (b)
1. (U) On November 9, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA)
unanimously passed a bill to repeal the post-coup decree
prohibiting gatherings of more than five persons for
political purposes (see ref A). The original decree was
issued on September 20 by the Council for Democratic Reform
(now known as the Council for National Security - CNS). The
NLA bill will now be passed to the interim government for
final approval before being forwarded to the king for his
signature. The bill will not officially come into effect
until the king signs it, and the interim government publishes
it in the royal gazette.
2. (U) The president of the NLA, Meechai Ruchuphan said that
political parties and the public will be able to return to
political activities as normal as soon as the bill is
finalized. (Comment: The draft bill was proposed to the NLA
by the interim government, and it is expected that the bill
will move forward for the king's signature swiftly. End
comment.)
3. (C) Comment: Martial law remains in effect, but the NLA
vote removes one of the more serious restrictions on civil
liberties, and is a good step forward. End comment.
BOYCE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
PACOM FOR FPA HUSO
NSC FOR MORROW
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM TH
SUBJECT: NLA VOTES TO LIFT BAN ON POLITICAL GATHERINGS
REF: A. BANGKOK 06352 (LIFTING THE BAN ON POLITICAL
MEETINGS)
B. BANGKOK TH 090350Z NOV 06 (INSIGHTS ON MOD
CONCERNS ON INTERNAL INSTABILITY)
C. BANGKOK TH 080705Z NOV 06 (MARTIAL LAW IN
THAILAND BEING RETAINED)
Classified By: Political Counselor Susan Sutton for reason 1.4 (b)
1. (U) On November 9, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA)
unanimously passed a bill to repeal the post-coup decree
prohibiting gatherings of more than five persons for
political purposes (see ref A). The original decree was
issued on September 20 by the Council for Democratic Reform
(now known as the Council for National Security - CNS). The
NLA bill will now be passed to the interim government for
final approval before being forwarded to the king for his
signature. The bill will not officially come into effect
until the king signs it, and the interim government publishes
it in the royal gazette.
2. (U) The president of the NLA, Meechai Ruchuphan said that
political parties and the public will be able to return to
political activities as normal as soon as the bill is
finalized. (Comment: The draft bill was proposed to the NLA
by the interim government, and it is expected that the bill
will move forward for the king's signature swiftly. End
comment.)
3. (C) Comment: Martial law remains in effect, but the NLA
vote removes one of the more serious restrictions on civil
liberties, and is a good step forward. End comment.
BOYCE