Thai military police support security services during New Year festival

BANGKOK, December 22 (TNA) - As year-end celebrations are approaching, Thai Defence Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapa announced Thursday that he will assign the deployment of military police at focal and crowded sites in Bangkok to help keep public order during the New Year festival. General Yuthasak told reporters that the assignment was included in the agenda of a Defence Council meeting Thursday morning, acknowledging that the supplementary military police force will support police's security services during people's New Year celebrations. According to the defence minister, a combined force of 400-500 military police officers will be mobilized from the Royal Thai Armed Forces, with those from the Royal Thai Army's 11th Military Circle to take care of areas in the heart of Bangkok, those from the Royal Thai Navy to be responsible for areas in the capital's Thonburi side and those from the Royal Air Force to watch over areas in the city's northern part, including Don Muang and Sai Mai Districts. Furthermore, ad hoc military operation centre will also be set up to coordinate and cooperate with police, including exchange of information and tip-offs. (TNA)