Traffic police to keep a close eye on rally
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The Traffic Police Division says it will keep a close eye on today's anti-government protest to determine whether more roads should be closed. For instance, an extended march by demonstrators might force police to take extra measures.
At present, roads surrounding the Royal Plaza and Government House have been closed. Routes affected are Pichai Road between Khattiyanee and U-Thong Nai intersections; Rajavithi Road from Karn Ruen to Rajavithi Intersection; U-Thong Nai Road from U-Thong Nai Intersection to Royal Plaza; Rajdamnoen Nok Avenue from Makkawan Rangsan Bridge to Misakawan Intersection; Phitsanulok Road (Wang Daeng to Panitchayakarn Intersection); and Luk Luang Road.
Deputy National Police Commissioner General Worapong Chiewpreecha said key roads such as Phitsanulok were blocked to stop demonstrators from getting too close to important government offices.
When the political divide began in 2008, yellow-shirt protesters laid siege to Suvarnabhumi Airport and Government House. After that, by the Asean summit in Pattaya was brought to an abrupt end by red-shirt demonstrators in 2009.
Worapong said policemen had also been stationed at the corners of Wat Benjamabophit or the Marble Temple and checkpoints would be set up at several spots across the city.
“We have heard that someone might try to stir things up,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sing Buri police chief Maj-General Kosol Buaprasert said his unit had already sent two companies of officers to help control the situation. “We will send another company of police if necessary,” he said.
Traffic Police Division commander Maj-General Piya Tawichai said random checks would be conducted on protesters heading to the rally site to see if anybody was armed.
The government put Dusit, Phra Nakhon and Pom Prab districts under the Internal Security Act on Thursday in preparation of the Pitak Siam rally.
Up to 15 secondary schools in these districts ended their classes at noon yesterday.
Chinnapat Bhumirat, secretary-general of the Office of Basic Education Commission, said yesterday that it was up to school directors to decide whether their institutions should be closed.
Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanich said that if schools were closed, they would have to provide extra classes to ensure that children’s studies are not affected.
Boontham Pimpaporn, director of Rajavinit Mathayom School, said he was monitoring the situation.
“If there is any risk to students’ safety, we will close the school on Monday too,” he said, adding that students would be informed via mobile-phone text messages.
