Police working out deployment plans for October 14 rally by protesters
Police are in the process of estimating the number of protesters expected to join the Democracy Restoration Group (DRG) rally on October 14, after the group issued an invitation to the public on social media to join the demonstration, Metropolitan Police Bureau chief Pol Lt-General Pakkapong Pongpetra said on Sunday.
“The bureau will deploy officials based on the length and number of participants at the rally. For example, if the rally lasts longer than a day and participants spend the night at the venue, more officials will be deployed to ensure peace and safety,” he said. “Next week the bureau will hold a meeting with subdivisions to draw up a detailed plan.”
The date marks the anniversary of the popular October 14, 1973 uprising, which resulted in the end of the ruling military dictatorship of anti-communist Thanom Kittikachorn, and altered the Thai political system. Notably, it highlighted the growing influence of Thai university students in politics.
The rally will start at 2pm at Democracy Monument in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district
“We would like to ask rally leaders to comply with the laws, especially the Public Assembly Act, to minimise impact on the public,” added Pakkapong. “Public health staff will also set up screening checkpoints for rally participants to prevent the spread of Covid-19, while traffic police will direct traffic flow around the areas to facilitate both vehicle users and pedestrians.”
“The deployed officials will be there to ensure public peace and safety. They are not deployed to obstruct the rally or arrest the participants,” he assured.