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Bangkok remains peaceful as rally under control
BANGKOK, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The overall situation in Thailand 's capital Bangkok has remained peaceful on the first day of a mass anti-government rally as the government has attempted to ensure that no violence will occur amid the continued rally.Thailand's weekly cabinet Tuesday decided to impose the ISA law in eight provinces to ensure law and order during the rally by the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) group from March 12 to 23. Of the total eight provinces, the ISA imposition has been enforced in the whole area of capital Bangkok and Nonthaburi, which is next to Bangkok, while it is imposed in some 21 districts of the six other provinces nearby Bangkok, including Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Pathom, and Ayutthaya. Totally, under the ISA law's enforcement there are 50,000 security men, who will maintain security during the mass rally. According to Police Major General Piya Uthayo, Spokesperson of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, about 6,500 protesters gathered at five main rally spots in Bangkok on Friday, the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) under the state-owned Public Relations Department, reported. The traffic was generally light during the first day of the rally as there was no report of violence. The UDD or red-shirted protesters voluntarily dispersed by 5:00 p.m., local time, Friday after they marched by various routes in downtown area. They plan to regather at about 17:00 p.m., local time Saturday at Ratchadamnoen Road, open-field Sanam Luang, and King Rama V Equestrian Monument in the center of capital Bangkok. In a related development, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban is satisfied with the security operations during the first day of the rally, Thai News Agency reported. However, Suthep has repeatedly instructed the security men to be patient and not to use violence to deal with the protesters. At the same time Metropolitan Police Commander Lt-General Santhan Chayanon has ordered to beef up security at eight check points, which are tasked by army-police forces, the NNT said. With 24 hours' responsibility, the check points have been set up on areas, which border capital Bangkok and provinces next to Bangkok. Posted by: Steve White 2010-03-13 |
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