'Peacekeepers' to monitor Bangkok
A temporary "peacekeeping centre" is being set up to monitor the situation in Bangkok during two upcoming long holidays.
The first holiday period is between today (Chakri Day) and Monday (declared a holiday for the royal cremation ceremony of HRH Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda).
The second period is for the Songkran festival from April 1216.
“Deputy Bangkok city clerks will take turns serving as the director of the centre, which will operate round the clock during those days,” Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said yesterday.
He called on people to alert authorities of any suspicious activity by calling 199, 1555 and (02) 2242 94041.
Speaking after emerging from a meeting of Bangkok’s internal security operations command, Sukhumbhand added that City Hall would install 129 more security cameras around Sanam Luang where the royal cremation ceremony will take place.
Sukhumbhand said that, with many royal ceremonies being held between the coming Monday and April 12, anyone wishing to hold an event commemorating a political incident should exercise great discretion.
“If you hold an event, please disperse peacefully as soon as the event ends,” he said.
Earlier, the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship announced its intention to hold events in remembrance of those killed during the April 10, 2010 crackdown on redshirt demonstrators.
In a related development, Metropolitan Police Commissioner LtGeneral Winai Thongsong said police would step up security in touristcrowded areas.
“We will pay close attention to the Sukhumvit and Ramkhamhaeng zones,” he said, before adding that intelligence sources had found no evidence of any plot to stage attacks in the capital.
Meanwhile, a recent Bangkok Poll survey found that 51.6 per cent of residents in Bangkok and adjacent provinces polled were not planning a Songkran trip upcountry.
The survey covered 1,283 people aged 18 and above.
Of those polled, 60.5 per cent said the rising cost of petrol and transport influenced their decision.
Asked about their plans for the Songkran holidays, 71.9 per cent said they would give alms to monks and sprinkle water on Buddha images. More than half also planned to ask for blessings from their elders and to meet up with friends or relatives.
