Mon, March 15, 2010
BANGKOK, March 11 (Xinhua) -- The peace-keeping operations command is established at the 11th Infantry Regiment in capital Bangkok to control the anti-government rally, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban disclosed Thursday.
The operation of the peace-keeping operations command in the 11th Infantry Regiment locating at Bangkhen will start from Friday (March 12), Thai News Agency quoted Suthep as saying.
Also, during the rally a press conference to update the actual situation will be held at the peace-keeping operations command in the 11th Infantry Regiment, he said.
Deputy premier Suthep has been assigned to control the security operations, which have been conducted by involved security agencies.
Thailand's weekly cabinet Tuesday decided to impose the Internal Security Act (ISA) during March 11-23 to ensure law and order in a mass anti-government rally by the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) group and from late Wednesday night security men have been deployed to ensure security.
Totally, under the ISA law's enforcement there are 50,000 security men, who will maintain security during the mass rally, said Suthep.
The 50,000 security men includes 30,000 army men, 10,000 policemen, and 10,000 civil servants, Suthep said, adding that all of these security men will carry no weapon.
However, Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) teams, who are armed,have also been prepared to prevent unrest instigation because many groups, including a third party, are feared to join the mass rally to incite violence, Suthep said.
The SWAT teams are ready to perform their duty by 15 minutes, the deputy premier said.
The ISA imposition has taken effect in the whole area of capital Bangkok and Nonthaburi, which is next to Bangkok.
Also, the ISA law is implemented in some 21 districts of six other provinces nearby Bangkok, including Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Pathom, and Ayutthaya.
