Massive security for Judgment Day

The Council for National Security (CNS) is mobilising some 13,000 men from the armed forces and the police to prevent unrest and the movement of mobs from the countryside to Bangkok when the Constitution Tribunal announces its verdict in the party dissolution cases on Wednesday.

The operation was decided on by all the CNS members who met at army headquarters under the chairmanship of army chief and CNS chairman Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin yesterday.

CNS spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said after the meeting the officers were ready to stop mobs nationwide and prevent those who might plan to enter the capital tomorrow.

Part of the mobilisation will take place in Bangkok where the army, the navy and the air force will put some 400-500 officers each on standby plus the city police force.

According to Col Sansern, Gen Sonthi will command all the forces from army headquarters in Bangkok while other key CNS figures are assigned to supervise the situations in the regions.

Actions will start with gentle approaches moving to harsh ones if necessary. Attempts will be made to create understanding with mobs in the provinces and convince them to listen to the tribunal's verdict in their own areas instead of heading for Bangkok.

The CNS did not want to exercise the executive decree on emergency situations unless that was necessary, Col Sansern said. He confirmed that no dangerous weapons would be used.

"The CNS insists that we will try every possible way to prevent violence. If violence does happen, we are confident that the plan will certainly keep the situation under control," said the spokesman.

He said the CNS had to come up with the plan because Thai Rak Thai members had announced rallies in many areas. He expects movements of people mainly from the North and Northeast. The CNS' plan should limit the number of protesters and keep things under control, he said.

Col Sansern declined to answer on being asked if the mobilisation of such a large force could facilitate a counter-coup.

Nine members of the Constitution Tribunal will meet this afternoon at the Supreme Court to express their individual judgements on the party dissolution case. The case involves Thai Rak Thai and the Democrats as well as three small political parties accused of legal violations in connection with the April 2 polling last year.

The individual judgements will then lead the whole tribunal to work out their collective verdict that will be announced by the Constitution Tribunal tomorrow.

The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has called on people planning to attend rallies nationwide tomorrow to hear the tribunal's verdict on the dissolution cases to stay calm whatever the decision.

A psychiatrist also advised people to avoid unnecessary stress by distancing themselves from news reports about the intensifying political dispute.

NIA director Sirachai Chotiratana said his organisation had for some months been gathering information on the planned rallies by supporters of the two main parties in the dissolution cases, Thai Rak Thai and the Democrats.

"No matter what the verdict of the Constitution Tribunal turns out to be, we want [rally participants] to respect it and refrain from violence or carrying weapons to cause trouble," Mr Sirachai said.

Criticism of the verdict was acceptable.

However, people should refrain from making defamatory remarks about anyone.

Mr Sirichai said police would adopt a gentle approach if the demonstrators stayed within the law. But people who caused problems would be prosecuted on charges of disturbing public peace.

In Bangkok, people were expected to gather in front of the Constitution Tribunal offices, the parties' headquarters and at Sanam Luang, Mr Sirachai said.

In the provinces, people were expected to assemble at the branch offices of the two big parties and at public parks.

Chantima Ongkosit Krairiksh, a psychiatrist and chairwoman of the Manarom hospital board of directors, said people should not let themselves get emotionally involved.

Instead, they should distance themselves from the process.

They should consider the matter objectively and not indulge in forecasting the end-results, Dr Chantima said.

"No incident is perfect and satisfactory for everybody.

"There are ways out and solutions to all problems," she said.

Almost 25 per cent of people with health problems suffered from mental illness of some form, she said.

But only 2 per cent of those with a mental illness sought medical treatment.