ISA likely to replace emergency decree in Thai South

BANGKOK, February 19 (TNA) – Thailand’s Secretary-General of the National Security Council (NSC) chief has said that it is highly likely that the government will replace the Executive Decree for Administration in Emergency Situations in the deep South with the less harsh International Security Act (ISA). Speaking to reporters after meeting with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and relevant agencies on solving violence in the southernmost region, Lieutenant General Paradorn Pattanatabutr said it is also likely that the emergency decree will be replaced by the ISA in more than five districts of southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat as violence in many areas have decreased. Currently, the emergency decree is imposed in most districts of the three provinces. According to the NSC chief, the government will make the decision on the matter on March 19, when the emergency decree is set to expire. (TNA)