Bangkok
I will be in Bangkok for tour today. I know. Very bad timing. It happens whenever i go Bangkok. 1 year ago the same thing occured. But i guess the magnitude of it this time is much larger.
Wish me luck.
Schools close as security ramps up
By Wassana Nanuam
Wassayos Ngamkham
Boonnum Kerdkaew
and Post ReportersMany schools in the city have cancelled classes today, fearing unrest. “Declaring a state of emergency will only be used as a last measure,” said Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, head of the military junta, as foreign embassies warned visitors to stay away from possible demonstrations.
The likelihood of mass protests being held in Bangkok prompted the Australian, British, Canadian, French, Japanese and US embassies to update their travel advisories to warn their nationals away from possible demonstrations in Bangkok on Wednesday and Thursday.
“We’ve just added a sentence to our existing travel advisory saying there may be huge demonstrations in Bangkok on May 30 and 31,” said a source at the British Embassy.
Schools say they are worried for their studients’ safety in the wake of the party dissolution decision.
Schools to be closed include Rajini, Benjamarachalai, Satriwithaya, Suksanari, Yothinburana Watbowonniwet, Mathayom Watmakutkasat and Wat Rajbopit schools, as well as the Dramatic Arts College.
Another school, Suankularb Wittayalai, on its website cited student safety and traffic problems as reasons for its closure today. It also referred to Praratchawang police station’s request to cancel afternoon classes.
Speculation has been rife about possible chaos if any heavyweight party is ordered to shut down.
Police were looking for three fire extinguishers which went missing from a supermarket in Lat Phrao district yesterday, fearing they may be used to make bombs, as has often happened in the deep South.
Each fire extinguisher could hold a bomb of up to 25kg, police said.
Police also checked with fire distinguisher distributors, asking about any unusual orders.
Beefed-up security was apparent in inner-city Bangkok, particularly around the Constitution Court where the fate of five parties will be sealed today.
Police and soldiers were sent yesterday afternoon to safeguard various locations, such as the ICT Ministry, CAT telecom and radio and television stations.
Metropolitan police chief Adisorn Nonsee said Gen Sonthi told police to deal with demonstrators politely, but to detain the leaders of any mobs that might form and anyone trying to instigate trouble.
Pol Lt-Gen Adisorn said checkpoints were set up in central Bangkok to stem the influx of protesters, particularly at Hua Lamphong railway station and Mor Chit bus terminal. Targeted are pick-up trucks packed with passengers.
Acting national police chief Seripisuth Temiyavej ordered that any incidents around the court be filmed, to ensure evidence against any wrongdoers.
Police and a bomb squad yesterday swept the court building and surrounding areas. Lighting was upgraded and security reinforced. One traffic lane around the court has been closed.
Sanit Chornanan, deputy secretary-general of the Constitution Court Office, said mobile phone signals at the court and the surrounding neighbourhood, Phahurat, would be cut this afternoon.
Pass cards were distributed to those with the right to access the building, he said. Fire trucks, ambulances and mobile toilet units were called in.
Public Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla said hospitals across the country were on standby with 15,000 ambulances.
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Earlier story:The Council for National Security (CNS) is mobilising some 13,000 men from the armed forces and the police to prevent unrest and the movement of mobs from the countryside to Bangkok when the Constitution Tribunal announces its verdict in the party dissolution cases on Wednesday.
The operation was decided on by all the CNS members who met at army headquarters under the chairmanship of army chief and CNS chairman Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin yesterday.
CNS spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said after the meeting the officers were ready to stop mobs nationwide and prevent those who might plan to enter the capital tomorrow.
Part of the mobilisation will take place in Bangkok where the army, the navy and the air force will put some 400-500 officers each on standby plus the city police force.
According to Col Sansern, Gen Sonthi will command all the forces from army headquarters in Bangkok while other key CNS figures are assigned to supervise the situations in the regions.
Actions will start with gentle approaches moving to harsh ones if necessary. Attempts will be made to create understanding with mobs in the provinces and convince them to listen to the tribunal’s verdict in their own areas instead of heading for Bangkok.
The CNS did not want to exercise the executive decree on emergency situations unless that was necessary, Col Sansern said. He confirmed that no dangerous weapons would be used.
“The CNS insists that we will try every possible way to prevent violence. If violence does happen, we are confident that the plan will certainly keep the situation under control,” said the spokesman.
He said the CNS had to come up with the plan because Thai Rak Thai members had announced rallies in many areas. He expects movements of people mainly from the North and Northeast. The CNS’ plan should limit the number of protesters and keep things under control, he said.
Col Sansern declined to answer on being asked if the mobilisation of such a large force could facilitate a counter-coup.
Nine members of the Constitution Tribunal will meet this afternoon at the Supreme Court to express their individual judgements on the party dissolution case. The case involves Thai Rak Thai and the Democrats as well as three small political parties accused of legal violations in connection with the April 2 polling last year.
The individual judgements will then lead the whole tribunal to work out their collective verdict that will be announced by the Constitution Tribunal tomorrow.
The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has called on people planning to attend rallies nationwide tomorrow to hear the tribunal’s verdict on the dissolution cases to stay calm whatever the decision.
A psychiatrist also advised people to avoid unnecessary stress by distancing themselves from news reports about the intensifying political dispute.
NIA director Sirachai Chotiratana said his organisation had for some months been gathering information on the planned rallies by supporters of the two main parties in the dissolution cases, Thai Rak Thai and the Democrats.
“No matter what the verdict of the Constitution Tribunal turns out to be, we want [rally participants] to respect it and refrain from violence or carrying weapons to cause trouble,” Mr Sirachai said.
Criticism of the verdict was acceptable.
However, people should refrain from making defamatory remarks about anyone.
Mr Sirichai said police would adopt a gentle approach if the demonstrators stayed within the law. But people who caused problems would be prosecuted on charges of disturbing public peace.
In Bangkok, people were expected to gather in front of the Constitution Tribunal offices, the parties’ headquarters and at Sanam Luang, Mr Sirachai said.
In the provinces, people were expected to assemble at the branch offices of the two big parties and at public parks.
Chantima Ongkosit Krairiksh, a psychiatrist and chairwoman of the Manarom hospital board of directors, said people should not let themselves get emotionally involved.
Instead, they should distance themselves from the process.
They should consider the matter objectively and not indulge in forecasting the end-results, Dr Chantima said.
“No incident is perfect and satisfactory for everybody.
“There are ways out and solutions to all problems,” she said.
Almost 25 per cent of people with health problems suffered from mental illness of some form, she said.
But only 2 per cent of those with a mental illness sought medical treatment.
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