Thai army chief, Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha instructed army
personnel to tighten security to prevent any untoward incidents when the
anti-government protesters came out onto the streets to shut down the city.
Army chief, Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Lt Gen Weerun Chanthasartkosol, commander of the Army Air
Defense Command, said the army chief expressed concern over the ongoing
anti-government demonstrations by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee
(PDRC).
He instructed army personnel assigned to join police operations to adhere to
peaceful means and strictly follow regulations.
Gen Weerun asserted that the army’s presence is not meant to pressure the
police, but the army personnel are only police aides under the orders of the
Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO).
Gen Weerun added that nine companies of soldiers have been deployed to protect
key government office buildings including Government House, Government Complex
in Chaengwattana district, and Pathumwan intersection.
He said all deployed soldiers have only batons and shields to protect
themselves. If any incident occurs in areas where police are not deployed, he
said, the soldiers will intervene to handle the situation first.
Meanwhile, Thai News Agency reported that security measures have been tightened
at army headquarters in Rachdamnoen Nok Avenue. Soldiers and staff were
instructed to wear plain clothes so that they will not be targets of attacks by
ill-intended persons. (MCOT online news)
