[Cookie]

PM warns of sabotage during reds rally

MILITARY WEAPONS KEPT UNDER GUARD

Published: 7/03/2010 at 12:00 AM

Intelligence reports point to the possibility of sabotage next weekend when the red-shirt movement holds a mass anti-government protest in Bangkok, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

He said he had received intelligence reports warning about acts of sabotage intended to instigate unrest from Friday to Sunday, but he declined to go into detail.

The government and security authorities were on full alert to make sure that military weapons stayed under lock and key.

"Intelligence reports indicate the possibility of sabotage. The government is monitoring the situation and will ensure that no military weapons are smuggled out of their bases," he said.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) will hold its mass rally next Sunday.

Supporters of the pro-Thaksin red shirt movement from across the country are expected to start arriving in Bangkok from Friday onwards.

Security authorities have yet to decide whether a special security law should be invoked to maintain peace and order.

The prime minister denied security agencies were disunited, or that the government has made extra preparations to block UDD supporters.

Some reports suggested the government was prepared to use metal spikes to stop vehicles heading for the capital, or deploy volunteers to counter the red shirts.

The planned deployment of volunteers from the Interior Ministry was intended to boost security, not to counter the red shirt protesters, he said.

He called on UDD supporters to rally peacefully and refrain from blocking roads.

UDD leaders have threatened to arrive at the rally in hundreds of farm and pick-up trucks, raising concerns that they may close major roads in an attempt to pressure the government.

"Blocking traffic is not a peaceful demonstration under the constitution. It is destined to cause inconvenience and may create unnecessary conflict," Mr Abhisit said.

Highway and marine police are gearing up for the influx of red shirt demonstrators. Highway police have identified three vulnerable spots on three major roads - Mittraphap Road, the Western Ring Road and Phetkasem Road - where the red shirts will gather before entering the capital.

They are Lam Takhong reservoir on Mittraphap Road, the Western Ring Road in Ayutthaya's Bang Pa-in and Wang Manao intersection in Ratchaburi.

Highway police chief Somyos Promnim said if these sections are blocked, traffic will be paralysed.

"We don't really know if they will block traffic. We can only speculate where they may stop and hold small rallies," he said.

Pol Maj Gen Somyos said provincial governors and local police must negotiate with the demonstrators in the event of road blockades.

Pol Maj Gen Charnthep Sesavej, chief of the marine police, said 150 marine police and five patrol boats will be deployed to handle the demonstrators.

Some red shirt demonstrators will travel to Bangkok on barges and boats along the Chao Phraya River. It is reported that they will dock at Siriraj, Tha Phra Chan and Tha Phra Athit piers.

http://www.bangkokpo...s-at-reds-rally