Tue, April 14, 2009
BANGKOK, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's peace and stability would be restored as quickly as possible in order to bring normal life back to Thai people in capital Bangkok, Supreme Commander Songkitti Chakkrabat, who is a director of a newly-set-up emergency-tackling-command, reiterated on Monday afternoon.
Speaking after chairing an urgent meeting, which was attended by armed forces and security agencies, the Supreme Commander said the government would not use weapons against the protesters, but protesters must not break the law, otherwise, the security forces have rights to protect themselves, he said.
"We will attempt to bring the key transportation systems, working life, and people's life back to normal quickly," said the Supreme Commander in a television address.
Meanwhile, he urged Thai people who are planning to return to Bangkok for work after spending long holidays in the countryside to gradually travel back to Bangkok. He also asked security officials to check carefully to make sure that they return to Bangkok without weapon.
A huge number of people who work in Bangkok had returned home in the provincial areas during the country's traditional new year festival -- Songkran Festival during April 13-15. They are expected to travel back to Bangkok soon.
Their return will make bus and train stations in Bangkok much more crowded, and this is seen worrying the security authorities, which are facing with the escalating violence created by the ongoing anti-government protests.
