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[Hedda]

There's an article in the Bangkok Post today that gives a major insight into some of the controversial points contained in the proposed ISOC bill that just won't die in this rump Parliament. There has been a lot of criticism of the way the junta seems intent on getting this law passed, even though an elected Parliament is presumably less than 45 days away from being elected.

According to today's article, the proposed law, which is not available in English, not only gives the military and police blanket immunity from prosecution for doing anything pursuant to this law, it also provides:

"...sweeping powers to the prime minister, in his capacity as Isoc chief. He would be authorised to summon anyone for questioning, detain people without warrants, and to order house searches and assets seizures. Critics fear this could threaten the civil liberties guaranteed by the constitution." http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/14Nov2007_news06.php

In addition, critics say that, under the bill, ISOC orders and regulations would be approved only by the Prime minister's cabinet, not the Parliament, and a new ministry run by ISOC will effectively take over the running of border provinces without Parliamentary oversight.

One of the principal concerns being voiced by a few perceptive critics of this law is the concern of what could happen if, for unforseen reasons, the current junta-appointed government, or its successor, should continue in power passed the anticipated date for an elected government.

Passing this ISOC law now will, before the elections, could empower any present or future prime minister to trample on basic civil rights, whether he is like Surayud, appointed by a coup, or some Thaksin clone, elected by a constitutional majority in Parliament. If Thakisn was as corrupt and powerful as his critics claim, why on earth would you want to put these added ISOC powers in any future prime minister's hands ?

Given the frailty of Thai democracy, and Thai history for the last 75 years, this new ISOC law seems like a very foolish and dangerous blank check for this military-appointed rump parliament to be writing for future governments. It makes one wonder why these generals and their friends are so hot to get this law passed now.
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