City goes into lockdown

       Dusit Palace, Government House and parliament are being placed under security lockdown and kept clear of street protests when red shirts hold their mass rally on Sunday, a military source says.
       No gatherings would be allowed in the three locations where about 3,500 troops and 1,950 police would be deployed to maintain law and order, the source said.
       The measures, which were discussed yesterday at the meeting of the Defence Council, would be proposed at today's meeting of the Internal Security Operations Command .
       The council called the meeting to prepare for Sunday's rally by the proThaksin United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship and make security preparations after the government decided to invoke the Internal Security Act in Dusit district from tomorrow until Tuesday to handle the protest.
       The Isoc meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, was expected to propose a number of security measures to deal with the red shirt rally.
       The invoking of the security act was to allow security authorities to take necessary steps to prevent violence.
       "The law is there to facilitate the authorities' work," Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said.
       "It is not to bully anyone. It is to tell the red shirt protesters that we have a law to keep the rally under control."
       Gen Prawit said the Isoc would decide today which locations would be declared security restricted and off limits to protesters.
       Defence spokesman Thanatip Sawangsaeng said the enforcement of the internal security law would not infringe on the rights of the public,which are protected by Article 63 of the constitution.
       He said the Isoc would also explain to the public the need to enforce the security law.
       "There is a need to prevent 'a third hand' from exploiting the situation,"Col Thanatip said."Strict enforcement of related laws, especially on carrying weapons, can be expected."
       Mr Abhisit yesterday sought to assure businessmen at a forum that the use of the internal security law would not damage the investment atmosphere or tourism.
       He said the law was to ensure there would be no repetition of the Songkran mayhem. The legislation's effectiveness was proved at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting in Phuket last month.
       Metropolitan police chief Worapong Chiwpreecha yesterday warned that some UDD leaders had been released on bail and had commitments to comply with.
       "The bail conditions still exist and are legally binding," he said, referring to the charges pressed against UDD leaders in connection with the Songkran violence.
       The Metropolitan Police Bureau estimates Sunday's rally to draw about 30,000 people and end about midnight.
       National police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwon has been asked by the prime minister to hold talks with UDD leaders to ensure the protest was peaceful and orderly.
       "We have to be positive about the talks," Pol Gen Patcharawat said.
       "I do not believe Thai people want to see untoward incidents."
       PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey yesterday invited the broadcast media to a briefing ahead of the red shirt rally.
       The minister said he would not ban the media from covering the rally but urged them to be careful with their reports and double-check the facts.
       "Some [radio] programmes have phone-in sessions, so I ask them to be discreet," Mr Sathit said.
       "Some people may call and claim there has been a shooting."