UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon started a four-country Asian tour yesterday in Bangkok, where tight security was in place to prevent anti-government protesters from “embarrassing” Thailand.
Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha warned so-called “Red Shirt” protesters who staged paralyzing protests earlier this year that rallies were “absolutely prohibited” during Ban’s visit.
“This is about Thailand’s image,” Prayuth told reporters ahead of Ban’s arrival.
He said protesters were welcome to send a petition to Ban through representatives.
“Whatever you do must be civilized. [Protesters] cannot gather in a big group and cause trouble to the people with foreigners watching. It would be embarrassing,” he said.
About 1,000 police were mobilized for security at Ban’s hotel, the prime minister’s office and the UN headquarters in Bangkok, national police spokesman Prawut Thawornsiri said.
Ban’s one-day stopover in Bangkok was to include a meeting and luncheon with Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, followed by talks with UN officials in the city. He was to head later to Cambodia, followed by Vietnam for a weekend summit of Asian leaders.
His last stop will be China.
At the height of Thailand’s political violence in May, Ban appealed to both sides to “do all within their power to avoid further violence and loss of life.”
Political tensions remain in Thailand.
Protesters said they wanted to seek Ban’s help in ending “human rights abuses” in Thailand.
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