BANGKOK, Sept 17 (NNN-TNA) – Three companies of policemen will be deployed from today, in the premises of Thailand’s Government House, as part of the government’s preparations for a student protest at the upcoming weekend, officials said yesterday.
The policemen, from the Metropolitan Police headquarters, are staying on alert inside Government House, for stepped-up security reasons at least until the upcoming Sunday, said officials.
Closed-circuit TV cameras have been installed at varied spots around all buildings in the premises of the Government House, whereas three power generators have been prepared in case of emergency, they said.
Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, who earlier said he has instructed the police to exercise patience and never use force against the anti-government protesters, has assigned Deputy Prime Minister, Prawit Wongsuwon, to closely monitor the situation.
The student protesters, led by the so-called Free Youth movement, planned to gather at Thammasat University’s Tha Phra Chan campus, or a nearby Sanam Luang ground on Saturday, and to proceed on Ratchadamnoen Avenue to the Government House on Sunday.
They urged Prayut to stop the police from arresting political activists, endorse constitution amendment bids, and finally dissolve the House of Representatives and call for a general election.
