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The Committee notes the information provided by the Government in reply to its previous direct request.

Article 1(a) of the Convention.  1.  The Committee notes that the Political Parties Act B.E. 2524 (1981) was repealed on 10 June 1998 due to the enactment of the Organic Law on Political Parties B.E. 2541 (1998) and sections 47(1), (2) and 52 of the 1981 Act were consequently revoked. It requests the Government to supply, with its next report, a copy of the new Organic Law on Political Parties referred to above.

2.  The Committee also notes the Government’s indication in the report that the Press Act B.E. 2484 (1941) is in process of revocation, and that a draft amendment of this Act was passed to the Cabinet on 28 September 1999. The Committee requests the Government to keep the ILO informed of the revocation or amendment of the Act and to supply a text of amendments or repealing text as soon as it is adopted.

3.  As regards sections 8 and 9 of the Emergency Administration Act, 1952, the Committee notes the Government’s indications in the report that these sections have rarely been applied in practice and would be applied only in the case where the Government deems it necessary for national peacekeeping and the safety of the public at large. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to provide, in its future reports, information on any prohibitions made under the abovementioned sections of the Act, if and when such prohibitions are applied in practice.