Security tightens at Government House as protesters plan rally

BANGKOK, June 18 (TNA) - Security at Thailand's Government House --where Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's office is located -- expected to be tightened as members and supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) plan to rally there on Friday demanding that the premier quit the post.

Army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda and national police commander Pol. Gen. Patcharawat Wongsuwan on Wednesday evening met with Mr. Samak to deal with the security requirement.

The PAD and its supporters are demonstratiing at the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), near Government House.

They have been holding the rally since May 25.

They plan to march to Government House Friday in a bid to pressure the four-month-old coalition government to resign, claiming that Mr. Samak and his People Power Party are proxies of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

After the meeting ended, Gen. Patcharawat told journalists that the prime minister had requested reinforcements to provide security for his office.

Stressing that the police would not allow the PAD and its supporters to move their rally to Government House, Gen. Patcharawat said police would not use force to contain the crowd.

Asked about remarks by Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung earlier Wednesday that a large amount of weapons have been taken to Bangkok to create unrest on Friday, the national police chief said that the police still "didn't have that information."