3,000 police to be deployed for October 14 pro-democracy rally
Some 3,000 police would be deployed to maintain peace and security during the political rally scheduled for October 14 by several pro-democracy groups, Metropolitan Police Bureau spokesperson Pol Maj-General Jirapat Phumijit said on Monday.
The Democracy Restoration Group, the Free Youth Group and United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration, are reportedly among the groups joining the rally scheduled for 2pm at Democracy Monument in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district.
“Public health staff would set up screening checkpoints for rally participants to prevent the spread of Covid-19, while police would also be checking for contraband at these checkpoints,” he said.
“Traffic police would also be deployed around the areas to facilitate traffic flow for vehicles and pedestrians. We would later announce the affected routes as well as alternative routes that motorists could use to avoid the rally.
“The bureau has also asked the provincial police in regions 1,2,3,4 and 7 to prepare to send additional officials in case the number of rally participants exceed our expectations, or if the situation escalates,” he added.
“So far, the rally leaders have yet to submit documents asking for permission to hold the rally. However, we would like to ask rally leaders to keep the activity peaceful and within legal limits.”