6 replies to this topic

[koykaeng]

The Nation 29th May 2007

POLITICAL PARTY RULINGS
Bangkok on high alert for violence

13,000 soldiers, police to be deployed in areas considered to be flashpoints; Democrats, TRT deny mobilising supporters

BANGKOK: -- Security will be tightened in areas likely to be flashpoints for violence ahead of tomorrow's landmark rulings of the Constitution Tribunal on the electoral fraud cases against the country's two largest political parties.

A 13,000-strong combined force of police and soldiers will be deployed to maintain order and prevent violence, Council for National Security chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said. He was speaking after a meeting of officials in preparation for judgement day.

There has been concern that supporters of the rival parties are likely to gather in great numbers in the capital and could cause trouble if they find the rulings disappointing.

From this afternoon, police will seal off the Constitution Tribunal building and search its compound to ensure no explosive devices have been planted, Police Lt-General Adisorn Nonsee, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, said.

He said the police would also secure nearby bridges tomorrow, when the tribunal is scheduled to read its verdicts on the separate cases against the Democrat and Thai Rak Thai parties, as well as three smaller political parties.

Police will work with military officers and city officials to prevent any violent incidents, Police General Vichien Pojphosri, a senior police commander in charge of security, said.

Hundreds of police officers will be stationed at Sanam Luang and the Royal Plaza, where Thai Rak Thai supporters are expected to gather, and at the headquarters of both the Democrat and Thai Rak Thai parties.

Authorities have been on alert after receiving intelligence that party supporters from the provinces are travelling to the capital. However, the Democrat and Thai Rak Thai parties have dismissed reports that they are mobilising their supporters.

Thai Rak Thai's caretaker leader Chaturon Chaisang yesterday accused the junta of spreading rumours to paint a bad image of the "old power clique" of which the party was a part.

The use of a backup military force, comprising another 43 companies from Bangkok-based Army units, if needed, would be "decisive" and "lawful", Army commander General Sonthi said yesterday.

Sonthi said he gave direct orders during yesterday's meeting with unit commanders that all soldiers participating in all security operations "must be unarmed" and would not be positioned in areas involving direct confrontations with protesters.

The 13,000-strong force comprises soldiers from 29 companies, Bangkok-based policemen and municipal policemen. Its main duty is to guard against possible violent incidents between supporters of Democrat and Thai Rak Thai parties, or anti-junta activists and the soldiers themselves.

Police will concentrate their efforts on curbing anti-junta movements that could be supported by taxi motorcyclists and taxi drivers.

A police intelligence report warned that the groups, referred to as "mobs in red shirts", might operate across the capital to create disorder if the verdicts dissolve any of the parties, or both.

Bangkok police chief Pol Lt-General Adisorn Nonsee said all 88 police stations had been observing the group's ongoing movements and their expected activities in the next few days.

Checkpoints will be set up on major city streets to intercept their vehicles or make arrests in case the group members showed signs of disobedience.

Elephants will also be barred from entering Bangkok at this time.

A bomb threat was received on telephone at the Thai Rak Thai Party's former headquarters on New Phetchaburi Road yesterday morning.

The caller said explosives would be set off but did not specify at which TRT office the attack would take place.

The official who received the call at 10am then telephoned the party's new headquarters at Navasorn Building on Rama 3 Road. Security officials and two sniffer dogs were called in to search the building but found nothing suspicious.

Meanwhile, Chaturon has called a meeting of party members to ensure there are no disturbances tomorrow when the Constitution Tribunal rules on the party's possible dissolution.

Chaturon is worried that if there is any disorder following the ruling, or if ill-intentioned people disguise themselves as Thai Rak Thai Party supporters and create disturbances, the Council for National Security may blame the party for any turmoil.

The party plans to send a few members to hear the verdict but Chaturon has instructed all other party members and supporters not to go to the tribunal but to hear the verdict at the party's headquarters.

TRT has also asked the police to deploy 200 officers at its headquarters tomorrow to maintain security.

--The Nation 2007-05-29

[dirtyfinger]

KK much appreciate the news mate, very thoughtful all efforts are appreciated, hope its all cool before I arrived on the 15 June :?

[ROS]

If you're very interested in the very latest, you can follow it on the Al Jazeera English channel (sky ch.514 in Uk). They are showing quite extensive coverage of this with reporters and interviews on the scene in Bangkok. Sounds like whatever the "verdict" they will be quite a bit of tension (and pssible protests) in the city over the next few days. But as always, the situation in the hot house of Bangkok is very different from the concerns, viewed from elsewhere in Thailand.

[therealdane]

Ups i go ther this sunday 03-06-2550/2007 to be whit my lb gf...
hope i dont get more than that i want!

But only staying ther 4 one night then its off 2 koh chang!

Stay cool all.... it probely runs out in the sand.... as normal!

[triat45]

I'm going to be in BKK this weekend - arriving tomorrow (1st) to visit LB friend - staying in Sukhimvit.

Will provide a post to tell what I see (unless it's a good excuse to stay in bed all weekend! )

[dirtyfinger]

I'm going to be in BKK this weekend - arriving tomorrow (1st) to visit LB friend - staying in Sukhimvit.

Will provide a post to tell what I see (unless it's a good excuse to stay in bed all weekend! )

Thanks mate, appreciate that if you do

[triat45]

Hi to all,

Just back (to Melbourne in this case) from BKK.
Almost nothing of concern at all.
Was a big rally planned for the public square near the Grand Palace, so taxi driver wouldn't go near there on Saturday night. But we had been there until about 3pm, and very much an ordinary day.

Otherwise, all was normal.
Walked down Sukhumvit Rd from Nana Station to Soi 2 with my friend on Sunday evening ... all very quiet.

So ... party on