“When compassion has reached its limit,” said Thaksin, “legal measures will then be taken” (BP, 27 March 2002). From early 2002, the government looked for stronger legal methods to prevent and control demonstrations. The police drafted legislation criminalizing any protest that did not get prior permission, but the measure was dropped in the face of criticism. On 23 April 2002, the Cabinet passed a resolution to use “harsh action against protesters who violate the law,” but then backed away in face of protests and issued a circular recommending negotiation and “mercy” (BP, 27 March 2002; TN, 23 September 2002). It then proposed to amend the Highway Act to criminalize any protest on a public road (TN, 17 September 2002). Among the people targeted in a government campaign against “influence,” the police chief included “those who have persuasive power, who can manipulate or misguide others to do illegal things, create turmoil—such as leaders of mobs, or forest encroachers” (TN, 21 May 2003). NGOs to make monthly reports of their activities and finance were more strictly enforced. Foreign advisers had more difficulty getting visas (UN 2004).