Police close 14 roads around Government House

Checkpoints were set up along the perimeter roads and only people who can prove that they work or live in the area are allowed in, according to Metropolitan Police Bureau spokesman Maj-General Adul Narongsak.

The road closure began at 2 pm Sunday, he said.

“Vehicles and people are not allowed to enter the area, unless they get permission from the authorities. People who live and work in the area have to show their ID cards as proof,” said Adul, who is also an MPB deputy commissioner.

He said police intelligence showed that the anti-government protesters, now gathering at Lumpini Park and the Urupong intersection, were coming to Government House, which is off-limits to protesters under the Internal Security Act (ISA) invoked last week.

The Cabinet last Tuesday resolved to invoke the ISA in Bangkok’s Dusit, Phra Nakhon and Pomprap Sattruphai districts, with effect from last Wednesday to this Friday. Those districts house locations with political significance, such as Government House, Parliament,

The move came just a day after the anti-government group called People’s Army to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime began its rally outside Government House. Leaders of the group later agreed to end their rally outside Government House ahead of a visit by Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang last Friday. However, a group of protesters were unhappy with the leaders’ decision and began gathering at the Urupong intersection, which is just outside the ISA area.