Armed police, soldiers posted at high-rise buildings in Ratchaprasong

BANGKOK, April 18 - The Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) announced that armed and uniformed police and military are being posted at high-rise buildings in Ratchaprasong area where Red Shirt protesters are rallying, “ready to use strict measures against them,” a CRES spokesman said.

Spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd told a press conference that CRES met early Sunday and discussed the fatal April 10 violence at the Democracy Monument and along Ratchadamnoen Avenue concluding that many troops were killed and wounded because armed terrorists infiltrated protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and fired at them.

Several severe measures were adopted at the meeting, said Col Sansern. They include preventing UDD supporters from upcountry from joining the demonstrators already at Ratchaprasong intersection, Bangkok’s prime high-end retail business area, separate terrorists from UDD protesters and armed police and military in uniform will be stationed on high-rise buildings around Ratchaprasong from Sunday to prevent violence from recurring.

He said the protest site was not considered a safe place as the terrorist were hiding among the protesters.

Reiterating that CRES would not allow the protesters to seize army weapons or vehicles aslike the April 10 incidents, he said: “From now on officials will carry arms and protect themselves if they are assaulted and these practices are in line with the law. If the weapons were seized and used (by the protesters), chaos could erupt”.

He said the CRES would not allow the protesters to assault security personnel anymore, but would respond with appropriate approach, he said.

Col Sansern said protesters had returned seized military vehicles but not the weapons.

Latest official statistics showed that 25 people were killed while 840 injured and 134 were receiving treatment at hospitals in Bangkok from April 10 violence.

UDD protesters have demanded that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve the House immediately and leave the country. They have demonstrated in the capital since March 14.

Asked when the final showdown on breaking up the demonstration would be held, Col Sansern replied, “We’re ready whenever the situation permits.”

Eighteen of 51 persons believed to be financiers for the UDD and ordered to report to the CRES have appeared at the office in the past two days, said Col Sansern.
By: mcot