BANGKOKIANS BACK ISA ENFORCEMENT

       Nearly 80 per cent of Bangkokians supported the government's plan to impose the internal security law in Dusit district during this weekend when pro-Thaksin protesters planned to rally against the Abhisit government, according to Suan Dusit poll.
       The poll was conducted on 1,078 Bangkok residents Tuesday and Wednesday.
       The poll revealed 76 per cent supported the Cabinet's imposition of the Internal Security Act, saying the measures would prevent possible acts of incitement to violence and protect Government House and other government offices in the area as well as maintain law and order during the red-shirt rally.
       Around 15 per cent felt indifferent to the law, hoping chaos might not occur, so that imposing the ISA was overreaction on the government's part.
       Meanwhile, 9 per cent of respondents disagreed with the enforcement, saying that the red shirts have the right to stage a peaceful protest and that the heavy duty security may incite them and create tension.
       Some 29 per cent thought that the security officers should negotiate and compromise with the protesters to was the proper means to solve the tension while 23 per cent would apply law and order to deal with the demonstration and the situation.
       Meanwhile, nearly 9 per cent would allow the police to take action, control and monitor the gathering without intervention.
       Nearly 8 per cent would give rights and freedoms to people to stage a protest under the law.