Over 2,000 police officers watch over Prayut during his Chiang Mai visit
More than 2,000 police officers in Chiang Mai were deployed on Wednesday to protect Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his team from protesters, who arrived to hold a demonstration against them.
Traffic, riot and explosive ordnance disposal officers were deployed to provide security for the PM and his entourage.
At Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Muang district, where Prayut was scheduled to preside over the FTI Expo 2022, up to 30 protesters were present to hold a demonstration, but they later dispersed as a barrier of police officers prevented them from getting close to the prime minister and his team.
Separately, up to 20 protesters demonstrated on Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road when Prayut visited Watweruwan School in Saraphi district. The protest went off peacefully as police officers were deployed around the school.
Prayut paid respect to abbots and sacred objects at a host of temples, including Wat Pa Dara Phirom in Mae Rim district and Wat Pa Pang Kut Kitti Tham in Mae Taeng, before heading to the convention centre.