Thailand's PM, top officials set to mull new security legislation

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Thailand's prime minister and senior security officials on Friday were expected to discuss giving authorities broader powers to crack down on a simmering insurgency in the country's Muslim-majority south that has left more than 540 dead this year.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has instructed officials to consider drafting security laws similar to those in the United States and Malaysia to help quell the unrest in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala - the only predominantly Muslim provinces in this mostly Buddhist kingdom.

Thousands of troops and police have been deployed to the area, which has been under martial law since January, but drive-by shootings and bombings continue on an almost daily basis.

The government blames Islamic separatists for the violence.

On Friday, the officials will consider a decree that would give police more authority to monitor and detain suspects, who under existing Thai laws can only be held for 48 hours without charges.

Detentions can be extended, however, by up to 12 days with court approval.

"We will have to discuss how to provide special power to police and what is the time frame for that, and whether the existing law is enough,'' police Gen. Sombat Amornviwat, director general of the Special Investigation Division told the local Business Radio station early Friday.

Officials are also studying the Internal Security Acts of Malaysia and Singapore - which allow detention without trial.

They are also looking at tough security laws passed in the United States following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

No decisions are expected to be made on Friday, and the proposed introduction of tighter security laws has already met with some resistance.

Although Thaksin has insisted the government will ensure any new legislation does not violate Thailand's constitution, human rights groups have expressed worries that the laws could erode the country's democracy.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu told local television station iTV on Thursday that he was "not convinced the existing measures are insufficient because the martial law has given a great deal of power to the military.''

Justice Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana said the government should revise existing laws rather than introduce new ones.

Some proposed measures such as phone tapping and access to financial records are already covered by current laws.

Extending the detention period for suspects could not be done because it would violate the constitution, he told iTV.

A deadly separatist insurgency has simmered for years in southern Thailand, but flared up again a year ago.

Thai Muslims have long complained of discrimination, particularly in jobs and education. Critics say the government has inflamed tensions by using heavy-handed tactics. - AP

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