Police, soldiers prepared for mass rally

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Friday ordered police to maintain law and order or face the consequences when pro-Thaksin demonstrators gather for a mass rally today at Government House.

Mr Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs, also encouraged police to seek back-up from the military to deal with the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protest if needed.

The UDD plans to gather at Sanam Luang in the late afternoon before marching to Government House and blockading it in an attempt to pressure the government to remove people in the cabinet who were formerly involved in the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) activities, including Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

Mr Suthep said yesterday he had ordered national police chief Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan to deploy police officers to step up security and prevent any violations of the law.

Mr Suthep said he had also instructed police to follow international standards of practice if they took action to stop the demonstrators breaking the law.

According to Mr Suthep, police would be held responsible if they did not take proper action against violators.

"If the demonstrators flout the law, immediate action must be taken. If police fail to do so, they will be held responsible for negligence [of duty].

"As law enforcement officers, they cannot allow any violations," he said.

The deputy prime minister said police should ask for reinforcements from the military if needed.

He allayed concerns that UDD protesters would break into Government House and ransack the offices like PAD demonstrators did when they stormed into the compound last year.

After the PAD ended its occupation, officials returned to their offices only to find they had been vandalised and valuable items such as televisions, computers, digital cameras, and video cameras had gone missing.

Fearing a similar situation, Government House officials packed office equipment and took it elsewhere.

The packing started on Thursday when the UDD leaders reiterated their plan to hold the mass rally.

Mr Suthep said he did not believe any similar incidents would take place and was sure his instructions would be strictly observed.

"I do not have to pack. Everything remains in place," he said.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday the military is ready to provide back-up if requested by the police.

He also denied allegations made by UDD leader Jakrapob Penkair that around 400 army officers had been sent to mingle with UDD demonstrators.

However, a source in the army said officers from several units under the First Army have been dispatched to UDD rallies to collect information.

He said he believed authorities would negotiate with the UDD leaders if they intended to prolong the protest and possibly cause damage to the country.

Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Suchart Muenkaew said city officials and military officers will be joining the police in assessing the situation and mapping out security measures for today's rally.

He said police will not allow the protesters to seal off Government House or prevent the government from working. But he admitted he was concerned about "outsiders" instigating unrest.

Meanwhile, police in several districts of Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday set up checkpoints on Bangkok-bound routes. Motorists were asked about their destination and purpose of travel.

In Ayutthaya, about 3,000 red-shirted demonstrators rallied yesterday in Bang Pa-in district. About 200 police and security volunteers were deployed.

It had been reported UDD supporters travelling from the North and the Northeast would spend the night in Ayutthaya before heading to Bangkok today.

UDD leaders, including Jatuporn Prompan and Veera Musikhapong, would address the protesters.

In a related development, Kwanchai Praipana, leader of the Khon Rak Udon Thani group, said yesterday his group would not join the rally in Bangkok.

He said there was no need to copy the PAD and he would rather give the government some time to work.

He said deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had called him and asked him to stop trading barbs with Mr Jatuporn and his supporters.

Earlier Report

Police and soldiers will join hands to ensured safety in the capital as United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) will hold a mass rally at Sanam Luang on Saturday night, national police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan said Friday.

"Peaceful demonstrations can be held, and they will not be obstructed," Pol Gen Patcharawat told reporters. "But if a law is broken, then police will take decisive measures against demonstrators."

According to Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Suchart Muenkaew, 35 police companies and 22 soldier companies will be deployed to maintain peace and order.

Four checkpoints will be set up around the Government House, where the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship protesters plan to gather to demand the government to remove Foreign Minister Kasit Pirom, so authorities can negotiate with the demonstrators, he said.

The group says it plans to encircle the compound, which was held for months last year by the yellow-shirted protesters of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Pol Lt Gen Suchart said he believes situation will be under control. He, however, expressed concern for a third party which may use this opportunity to create unrest.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he orders security units not to use force against protesters.

Legal action will be taken against protesters who break the law, and against police who neglect the law by not arresting them, he added.

He also said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who left for World Economic Forum in Switzerland on Thursday night, did not express any concern about the mass rally.

Mr Abhisit will return to Bangkok on Sunday.