Police deployed in Ratchaprasong area amid planned protest, warn against ‘illegal’ assembly after 5pm
Police announced on Thursday that they are deploying at Ratchaprasong in Bangkok after student pro-democracy protesters stated their intention to hold a rally at the main intersection from 4pm.
Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy commissioner Piya Tawichai said police would be stationed at three spots – the skywalk linking Chidlom and Siam BTS stations, another skywalk near Big-C Ratchaprasong and Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok Hotel, and Siam Paragon department store.
He warned that the assembly of more than five persons after 5pm is illegal, under the new state of emergency, and advised the public to avoid routes that pass Ratchaprasong from 4pm to 10pm.
The announcement came after pro-democracy group Khana Ratsadon 2563 (People’s Party 2020) stated its intention to continue its political rally at Ratchaprasong Intersection at 4pm.
On Wednesday, the protesters moved to Government House and camped there. But early on Thursday police arrested four rally leaders – Parit Chiwarak (Penguin), Anon Nampa, Prasit Utharoj and Phanuphong Jadnok – and cleared the area of the protesters. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also clamped a state of emergency in Bangkok from 4am.