Security Army Deployed in Capital for Thaksin Verdict

Security Army Deployed in Capital for Thaksin Verdict

BY: Pattaya Daily News

Security-concerned agencies have deployed thousands of military and police across the capital and in 38 provinces to monitor any move of supporters of convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra ahead of the February 26 court ruling on Mr Thaksin's Bt76.6 billion (US$2.3 billion) frozen assets, according to a government spokesperson.

Bangkok, the 8th of February 2010 [TNA]: Thai government acting spokesperson Panitan Wattanayakorn said Monday that security deployment has been stepped up since the Cabinet approved reinforcement of combined forces in 38 provinces to monitor the situation a few weeks ago.

“The government believes that a large number of people will attend rallies led by the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces, but to avoid making the public feel tense, 160-200 checkpoints will be set up gradually, with combined forces of 54 companies and some additional forces,” Mr Panitan said.

Mr Panitan said the security preparedness will be increased from February 15, as the government has learned from the chaos last April that it took longer than anticipated for the military forces to carry out their operations after the order had been given. He said that time the protesters were able to seize the capital’s key intersections and important places before troops reached the scene.

The spokesperson said security personnel will continue to evaluate the situation and will report to the Cabinet if necessary.  Extra security laws may be imposed if the situation escalates, but each step must be approved at both the policy and operational levels, particularly regarding the use of crowd-control equipment.

Dr Panitan added that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has also instructed security-related agencies to continue monitoring the situation after the court ruling, as an intelligence report suggested that some groups of people will continue their move.

Meanwhile, the red-clad UDD activists on Monday rallied at the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in Bangkok’s Ratchadapisek Road amid tight security, pressuring for progress on the investigation of the alleged forest reserve land encroachment at Khao Yai Thiang of Privy Councillor Gen Surayud Chulanont.

The prosecutor earlier decided not to file a lawsuit against Gen Surayud, reasoning that the general did not buy the land unlawfully and it had twice changed ownership before he acquired it.

The Forest Department however ordered the privy councillor to return the land to the state as a Cabinet resolution prohibits local residents allocated reserve land for farming from selling it to others, except for their statutory heirs.

The UDD protesters also urged progress on the case of a golf course which they claimed encroached the forest reserve at Khao Soi Dao in Chanthaburi province. They said the owner of the golf course is connected to Privy Council president Gen Prem Tinsulanonda.

At the same time, the protesters asked the OAG to speed up the case against the key People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) ‘Yellow Shirt’ leader Sondhi Limthongkul accused of insulting the monarchy by repeating the statement made by Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul, a red shirt activist who was convicted 18 years in jail for lese majeste. (TNA)

News : Methawee
Photo : Internet