City Hall has announced seven sites where people can hold demonstrations in Bangkok under the Public Act.
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt signed the announcement on Thursday.
He said designating seven places for public demonstrations would avoid them affecting national security and ensure the safety of the public. It would help maintain peace and order and good morals, as well as public health. It would allow more convenient use of public space and avoid infringing on the rights, liberties and human dignity of other people.
The city administration exercised its authority under Section 9 of the Public Assembly Act and Section 49 of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Regulation Act to designate space for public gatherings with rules and conditions for use of those sites, the announcement said.
The seven sites are - Lan Khon Muang ground in front of City Hall, the Thai-Japanese Youth Centre in Din Daeng district, public space beneath Ratchavibha Bridge near Soi Vibhavadi Rangsit 36, the parking lot in front of the Phra Khanong district office , the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Min Buri district, the Chalerm Phrakiat Stadium in Thung Khru district and Monthon Pirom Park in Taling Chan district.
Organisers of rallies must notify the appropriate district office at least 24 hours in advance. The district office would then ask officials responsible for overseeing rallies to facilitate the gathering and provide safety for demonstrators.
The announcement was a follow up on the governor's earlier pronouncement that City Hall was finding an alternative site for people to protest in order to lessen the impact of public demonstrations on commuters and local residents.
He was speaking after monitoring anti-government protests in the city by the Thalu Gas movement.
