5 arrested in Bangkok's street rally against amnesty bill

The Thai police on Wednesday arrested five anti-government protesters outside the parliament compound for violating security law. The attempt of the five people to break through police barricade breached the Internal Security Act (ISA), which has been imposed in three districts of the capital city to deal with possible violence during the anti-government movement, the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) announced in a press conference. The five people have been taken to a local police station for detention and questioning, it said. The Lower House of Thailand began to deliberate an amnesty bill, sponsored by the ruling Pheu Thai party, in its first reading Wednesday afternoon. But the opposition Democrat Party believes that the law was designed to whitewash former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, brother of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, and pave way for his return. Demonstration against the proposed bill organized by the Democrat Party which started Tuesday night was obstructed by riot police on their march to parliament. Thousands of protesters dispersed after being denied entry to the restricted area around the parliament. However, the government-appointed CAPO said police will remain in their current position to ensure the security of parliament and five roads in the vicinity of parliament will remain closed. Meanwhile, around 400 protesters from the People's Force for Democracy to Overthrow Thaksinism (Pefot) are still encamped at Lumpini Park peacefully.