ID :
110817
Wed, 03/10/2010 - 12:58
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http://m.oananews.org//node/110817
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Deputy PM Suthep concedes possible bombings in 30-40 Bangkok locations
BANGKOK, March 10 (TNA) - Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Wednesday conceded that an intelligence report warns of 30-40 small bombings plotted across the Thai capital this weekend, but he vowed the government will not allow anti-government protesters to seize any government office buildings or the country's main airport.
Mr Suthep, in his capacity as overseer of national security, commented ahead of the planned mass protest buy the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) Red Shirts, pledged to bring down the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjaviva in Bangkok this weekend.
Key UDD leaders earlier announced that they are mobilising at least one million of their supporters nationwide from Friday, claiming a hundred thousand pickup trucks to transport their activists to join the group's mass demonstration the capital on Sunday (March 14).
The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the use of the tough Internal Security Act (ISA) from Thursday March 11 for nearly two weeks through March 23 to maintain law and order throughout Bangkok and adjacent Nonthaburi, plus a number of critical districts in six other provinces surrounding the capital.
Regarding the cabinet's appointment of a mini-Cabinet comprised of nine ministers, Mr Suthep explained that these ministers will be on alert and will convene immediately if any incident occurs to evaluate the situation and consider the enforcement of an Emergency Decree.
The deputy premier added that safe houses have been prepared for any minister who requests such protective measures.
Mr Suthep also confirm an intelligence report warning of possible bombings in some 30-40 locations across Bangkok, particularly important government office buildings. He said the government will step up security measures, while urging the public to alert authorities if found anything suspicious.
Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat also echoed Mr Suthep's remarks, confirming the possible bombings in 30-40 spots in Bangkok.
Mr Boonjong added that the ministry's intelligence report also indicated there may be similar bombings in the north and northeast provinces, while saying that governors nationwide have been instructed to monitor the situation and
prepare tightened security measure, especially at city halls and provincial offices.
The deputy prime minister reiterated that he will not let the protesters block government buildings or Suvarnabhumi Airport. He said all public transport will serve the public as usual.
"If the protesters block (government buildings and the airport), legal action will be taken against them," said Mr Suthep,"but if they seize [government buildings and the airports] as the Yellow Shirts did, security forces will immediately
disperse them. Do not imitate the PAD's action, it was such a bad example."
The anti-Thaksin yellow-clad People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) seized Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in December 2008, to overthrow the then government of prime minister Somchai Wongsawat. The seizure left hundreds
of thousands of travellers stranded at the country's main airports and caused huge losses to the economy.
Mr Suthep said that the government must be more cautious as ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has incited his supporters countrywide to join the protest in the capital, but his family members have left Thailand.
The deputy premier said all ministers and their families are still in the country, except Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij who will be on duty in Japan during the period.
Mr Suthep asserted that the enforcement of the ISA and an other 18 related laws will not affect the daily life of the people, but will have an impact on those who cause chaos to the country, saying that the security operation will be carried out in accordance with international practices.
He reaffirmed that the government can retain control of the situation and that the army will not stage a coup.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva chaired a meeting of the Internal Security Operations Commands (ISOC) on Wednesday to review security precautions to be applied during the UDD protests.
The meeting was attended by deputy premier Suthep, Defence Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, Interior Minister Chavarat Charnveerakul, Supreme Commander Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatra, the commanders of the three armed forces, and representatives from the Royal Thai Police.
Mr Suthep himself will chair a meeting of the government committee monitoring the situation this afternoon. (TNA)
Mr Suthep, in his capacity as overseer of national security, commented ahead of the planned mass protest buy the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) Red Shirts, pledged to bring down the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjaviva in Bangkok this weekend.
Key UDD leaders earlier announced that they are mobilising at least one million of their supporters nationwide from Friday, claiming a hundred thousand pickup trucks to transport their activists to join the group's mass demonstration the capital on Sunday (March 14).
The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the use of the tough Internal Security Act (ISA) from Thursday March 11 for nearly two weeks through March 23 to maintain law and order throughout Bangkok and adjacent Nonthaburi, plus a number of critical districts in six other provinces surrounding the capital.
Regarding the cabinet's appointment of a mini-Cabinet comprised of nine ministers, Mr Suthep explained that these ministers will be on alert and will convene immediately if any incident occurs to evaluate the situation and consider the enforcement of an Emergency Decree.
The deputy premier added that safe houses have been prepared for any minister who requests such protective measures.
Mr Suthep also confirm an intelligence report warning of possible bombings in some 30-40 locations across Bangkok, particularly important government office buildings. He said the government will step up security measures, while urging the public to alert authorities if found anything suspicious.
Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat also echoed Mr Suthep's remarks, confirming the possible bombings in 30-40 spots in Bangkok.
Mr Boonjong added that the ministry's intelligence report also indicated there may be similar bombings in the north and northeast provinces, while saying that governors nationwide have been instructed to monitor the situation and
prepare tightened security measure, especially at city halls and provincial offices.
The deputy prime minister reiterated that he will not let the protesters block government buildings or Suvarnabhumi Airport. He said all public transport will serve the public as usual.
"If the protesters block (government buildings and the airport), legal action will be taken against them," said Mr Suthep,"but if they seize [government buildings and the airports] as the Yellow Shirts did, security forces will immediately
disperse them. Do not imitate the PAD's action, it was such a bad example."
The anti-Thaksin yellow-clad People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) seized Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in December 2008, to overthrow the then government of prime minister Somchai Wongsawat. The seizure left hundreds
of thousands of travellers stranded at the country's main airports and caused huge losses to the economy.
Mr Suthep said that the government must be more cautious as ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has incited his supporters countrywide to join the protest in the capital, but his family members have left Thailand.
The deputy premier said all ministers and their families are still in the country, except Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij who will be on duty in Japan during the period.
Mr Suthep asserted that the enforcement of the ISA and an other 18 related laws will not affect the daily life of the people, but will have an impact on those who cause chaos to the country, saying that the security operation will be carried out in accordance with international practices.
He reaffirmed that the government can retain control of the situation and that the army will not stage a coup.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva chaired a meeting of the Internal Security Operations Commands (ISOC) on Wednesday to review security precautions to be applied during the UDD protests.
The meeting was attended by deputy premier Suthep, Defence Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, Interior Minister Chavarat Charnveerakul, Supreme Commander Gen. Songkitti Jaggabatra, the commanders of the three armed forces, and representatives from the Royal Thai Police.
Mr Suthep himself will chair a meeting of the government committee monitoring the situation this afternoon. (TNA)
