ID :
108626
Thu, 02/25/2010 - 20:20
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/108626
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Security alert at Supreme Court on eve of judgement day
BANGKOK, Feb 25 (TNA) - Police have tightened security measures at Thailand's Supreme Court ahead of Friday's ruling on the Bt76 billion (US$23 billion) frozen assets of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Metropolitan police spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Piya Uthayo said on Thursday.
Gen Piya told reporters that 150 police will be stationed at the operations command set up in front of the Supreme Court on Ratchadamneon Nai Road as the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions is set to announce its ruling whether or not to seize Mr Thaksin's frozen assets.
After 6pm, he said, the number of police would be doubled which would include two bomb squads, 100 anti-riot police and 33-strong rapid deployment force.
All of the security personnel would take care of security at the court and risk points around the court, he said, adding that on Friday morning, security measures would be strengthened.
Two bomb scanners will be used to screen people who want to listen to the verdict being read in the afternoon.
At the same time, the Courts of Justice Secretary-General Wirach Shinvinitkul said all staff had been well-prepared to respond to any situation but he believed there would not be any untoword incident after the verdict reading.
He said the Courts of Justice had instructed the security staff to step up measures to inspect the public who would enter and exit the premise. Only one entrance would be available for the public.
Iron fencing has been set up around the court, and closed circuit television cameras have been placed around the area.
Meanwhile, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) called a meeting to prepare security measures for possible chaos during this period.
Bangkok City Clerk Pongsak Semsant said a temporary centre will be set up to maintain law and order in Bangkok, while the closed circuit television monitors installed across the capital will have their recordings examined as necessary.
BMA officials will be on standby around the clock, while equipment like fire engines, ambulances, and mobile toilets will be prepared.
Mr Noppadon Pattama, legal advisor to Mr Thaksin said his client had closely followed up the news report and would listen the verdict in Dubai.
After the verdict, he would speak via his online radio programme "Talk Around the World" at 8.30pm and would expect to issue a statement on Saturday.
He added that there was no confirmation that Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra, former wife of Mr Thaksin; his son and daughter would present at the court.
In a related development, Jatuporn Prompan, a key leader of anti-government movement United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Thursday vowed the red-clad protesters will not rally at the Supreme Court Friday, while accusing the government of knowing the court verdict in advance.
Mr Jatuporn noted that the security measures implemented during this period and the recent news reports on the case broadcast via the state-operated National Boardcasting Television (NBT) seemed like the government already knows what decision will be made against Mr Thaksin and his family members' assets.
Mr Jatuporn also accused the government of using the NBT to distort information and attempting to create a situation which could lead to violence that will end with a coup.
"I have been informed that there's a bombing plot which will lead to a coup," said the Red Shirt leader, "53 companies of soldiers will be deployed to maintain order during this period can immediately turn into the coup maker."
Mr Jatuporn said the UDD decided to postpone the group's mass rally to March 14 and the protest will last seven days.
If there's no conclusion, the protest will be prolonged, he warned.
The Red Shirt movement earlier announced to mobilise one million of its supporters from March 12 to join the mass protest ousting the Abhisit Vejjajiva government in the morning of March 14, with up to 100,000 pickup trucks transporting their members from across the country to the capital. (TNA)
Gen Piya told reporters that 150 police will be stationed at the operations command set up in front of the Supreme Court on Ratchadamneon Nai Road as the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions is set to announce its ruling whether or not to seize Mr Thaksin's frozen assets.
After 6pm, he said, the number of police would be doubled which would include two bomb squads, 100 anti-riot police and 33-strong rapid deployment force.
All of the security personnel would take care of security at the court and risk points around the court, he said, adding that on Friday morning, security measures would be strengthened.
Two bomb scanners will be used to screen people who want to listen to the verdict being read in the afternoon.
At the same time, the Courts of Justice Secretary-General Wirach Shinvinitkul said all staff had been well-prepared to respond to any situation but he believed there would not be any untoword incident after the verdict reading.
He said the Courts of Justice had instructed the security staff to step up measures to inspect the public who would enter and exit the premise. Only one entrance would be available for the public.
Iron fencing has been set up around the court, and closed circuit television cameras have been placed around the area.
Meanwhile, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) called a meeting to prepare security measures for possible chaos during this period.
Bangkok City Clerk Pongsak Semsant said a temporary centre will be set up to maintain law and order in Bangkok, while the closed circuit television monitors installed across the capital will have their recordings examined as necessary.
BMA officials will be on standby around the clock, while equipment like fire engines, ambulances, and mobile toilets will be prepared.
Mr Noppadon Pattama, legal advisor to Mr Thaksin said his client had closely followed up the news report and would listen the verdict in Dubai.
After the verdict, he would speak via his online radio programme "Talk Around the World" at 8.30pm and would expect to issue a statement on Saturday.
He added that there was no confirmation that Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra, former wife of Mr Thaksin; his son and daughter would present at the court.
In a related development, Jatuporn Prompan, a key leader of anti-government movement United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Thursday vowed the red-clad protesters will not rally at the Supreme Court Friday, while accusing the government of knowing the court verdict in advance.
Mr Jatuporn noted that the security measures implemented during this period and the recent news reports on the case broadcast via the state-operated National Boardcasting Television (NBT) seemed like the government already knows what decision will be made against Mr Thaksin and his family members' assets.
Mr Jatuporn also accused the government of using the NBT to distort information and attempting to create a situation which could lead to violence that will end with a coup.
"I have been informed that there's a bombing plot which will lead to a coup," said the Red Shirt leader, "53 companies of soldiers will be deployed to maintain order during this period can immediately turn into the coup maker."
Mr Jatuporn said the UDD decided to postpone the group's mass rally to March 14 and the protest will last seven days.
If there's no conclusion, the protest will be prolonged, he warned.
The Red Shirt movement earlier announced to mobilise one million of its supporters from March 12 to join the mass protest ousting the Abhisit Vejjajiva government in the morning of March 14, with up to 100,000 pickup trucks transporting their members from across the country to the capital. (TNA)
