ID :
111008
Thu, 03/11/2010 - 14:15
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/111008
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Thailand deploys 50,000-strong force to maintain order during protests
BANGKOK, March 11 (TNA) – Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Thursday said that the deployment of 30,000 unarmed military, 10,000 police and 10,000 civilian volunteers to maintain order in the capital had already begun as soon as the Internal Security Act (ISA) took effect.
Only uniformed SWAT team members are authorised to carry weapons, Mr Suthep said. Civilians wearing uniforms they are not authorised to wear, or counterfeited uniforms or other clothing showing that
the wearer is intending to misrepresent himself as an official in any capacity will be apprehended and legally prosecuted.
The deputy prime minister, in his capacity as supervisor of national security affairs, urged the demonstrators to comply with the law, otherwise the security force will break up their demonstration in line with international practice, beginning with talk, progressing through stages of arrest, and dispersal using water hoses and tear gas.
He warned demonstrators that those who become too violent will face tough action from the government security forces.
“Any demonstrators who enter military bases or police stations to steal weapons will face immediate forceful response from the security forces, as their actions will be deemed as terrorist acts,” Mr Suthep said.
The security deployment came two days before Sunday's mass rally in the capital by anti-government Red Shirts led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). The movement is mobilising its
supporters in the provinces to descend upon Bangkok on Friday. They claim the government has no legitimacy to run the country and demand the dissolution of parliament.
Mr Suthep said he and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would stay at an army safe house during enforcement of the Internal Security Act.
Speaking in his capacity as director of the peace keeping operations centre, Mr Suthep said the operations and news conference centre at the 11th Infantry Regiment, where he and the prime minister will remain to coordinate their work from Friday, will be functioning that day.
He explained that the venue has been chosen as his safe house given that its location is far from Sanam Luang, the main venue of the anti-government rally, making it convenient for any security mission. In addition he could work closely with security personnel.
As the ISA took effect Thursday, a combined force of 300 police and soldiers were stationed to cover all Government House gates. The prime minister has arrived to carry out his work as usual this morning before leaving to attend a House session.
The deputy prime minister said the government will talk with the demonstrators if they block access to Government House and obstruct the work of state employees.
“If the talk fails and they refuse to end the blockade, water or tear gas may be needed to disperse the demonstrators,” Mr Suthep said.
The deputy prime minister also said he believed a House dissolution would not end the Red Shirt protest. (TNA)
Only uniformed SWAT team members are authorised to carry weapons, Mr Suthep said. Civilians wearing uniforms they are not authorised to wear, or counterfeited uniforms or other clothing showing that
the wearer is intending to misrepresent himself as an official in any capacity will be apprehended and legally prosecuted.
The deputy prime minister, in his capacity as supervisor of national security affairs, urged the demonstrators to comply with the law, otherwise the security force will break up their demonstration in line with international practice, beginning with talk, progressing through stages of arrest, and dispersal using water hoses and tear gas.
He warned demonstrators that those who become too violent will face tough action from the government security forces.
“Any demonstrators who enter military bases or police stations to steal weapons will face immediate forceful response from the security forces, as their actions will be deemed as terrorist acts,” Mr Suthep said.
The security deployment came two days before Sunday's mass rally in the capital by anti-government Red Shirts led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). The movement is mobilising its
supporters in the provinces to descend upon Bangkok on Friday. They claim the government has no legitimacy to run the country and demand the dissolution of parliament.
Mr Suthep said he and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would stay at an army safe house during enforcement of the Internal Security Act.
Speaking in his capacity as director of the peace keeping operations centre, Mr Suthep said the operations and news conference centre at the 11th Infantry Regiment, where he and the prime minister will remain to coordinate their work from Friday, will be functioning that day.
He explained that the venue has been chosen as his safe house given that its location is far from Sanam Luang, the main venue of the anti-government rally, making it convenient for any security mission. In addition he could work closely with security personnel.
As the ISA took effect Thursday, a combined force of 300 police and soldiers were stationed to cover all Government House gates. The prime minister has arrived to carry out his work as usual this morning before leaving to attend a House session.
The deputy prime minister said the government will talk with the demonstrators if they block access to Government House and obstruct the work of state employees.
“If the talk fails and they refuse to end the blockade, water or tear gas may be needed to disperse the demonstrators,” Mr Suthep said.
The deputy prime minister also said he believed a House dissolution would not end the Red Shirt protest. (TNA)
