Thai authorities yesterday began deploying 50,000 troops on the streets of Bangkok ahead of rallies by anti-government protesters that they fear could turn violent, the deputy prime minister said.
The demonstrations by the so-called “Red Shirts,” who support fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, begin today — two weeks after the kingdom’s top court confiscated US$1.4 billion of the tycoon’s assets.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is overseeing the security operation, said “full deployment” began yesterday of 30,000 soldiers, 10,000 police and 10,000 civilian volunteer forces.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“If protesters intrude into army bases or police stations, the government will use armed force to crack down immediately, as we consider them terrorists,” he told reporters.
The government has invoked a tough internal security act that allows it to call out troops, impose curfews and ban gatherings.
Checkpoints are being set up in and around Bangkok to search protesters for weapons as they arrive from the provinces, their main strongholds in the rural north.
The Reds say they expect up to 600,000 people to attend the main rally on Sunday, but insist it will be peaceful.
The government estimates that closer to 100,000 will turn up.
In Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday raised its travel alert for nationals visiting Thailand in view of the increased security.
The ministry advises travelers to avoid any unnecessary trips to Thailand’s Nonthaburi, Pathum Thai, Samut Prakan, Chachengsao, Nakornpathom, Samut Sakorn and Phranakorn Sri Ayudhya provinces. If people must travel, they should remain highly vigilant, it said.
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