BCCT Safety & Security Group
The Pattaya Mail received the following from the British
Chamber of Commerce Thailand Safety & Security Group:
The upcoming July 3rd national election is the first
national vote in Thailand since December 2007 when the military returned
government control to the Civilian Leadership. As most of us have witnessed
since December 2007, Thailand has experienced three and a half years of
civil unrest which included three prime ministers, airport seizures,
killings in Bangkok CBD and the worst outbreaks of political violence in
Thailand’s democratic history.
The run up to the election has seen a few sporadic acts
of violence, to include assassinations and attempted assassinations of
selected candidates, and a number of rallies in Bangkok CBD but overall no
major demonstrations or civil eruptions are anticipated prior to the
election. Over 90,000 police officers will be assigned to ballot polls on
July 3rd to ensure all procedures in counting are met. The Election results
will be broadcast during the evening of July 3rd.
Many suspect the elections will not end the political
stalemate. The process of forming a Government, which could well involve the
usual ‘horse trading’ whereby the smaller parties form allegiances so as to
create a majority in Parliament, will be a tense period. Even when a
Government is formed it is very possible that the losers will protest. Thus
July must be seen as a period of rising tensions and increased risk,
especially in Bangkok. The concern is that once again there will be
large-scale civil unrest, rallies, and disruptive parades attempting to
bring Bangkok to a halt. Sporadic shootings and low-scale bombings have
accompanied such events in the past.
It is not prudent to plan only for what we have
experienced in the past; e.g., airport and BTS station seizures, parades
along predictable routes, etc. We need to consider as well what has not
occurred and view these types of incidents as likely should civil unrest
erupt again - a few possibilities are kidnappings or hostage taking of
prominent persons, seizing an occupied building such as a shopping center
(during business hours) or hotel, the use (or threat to use) explosive
devices in built up areas.
There are certain actions which can be taken now to make
us better prepared should July prove to be a ‘difficult’ month:
1. Update your business continuity plans and, if you have
one, test your alternate office systems and arrangements.
2. Update your communication plans, your telephone /
email alert trees and systems... can you contact all your staff and advise
them of any changing circumstances affecting the work place?
3. Revise your command chain, who will be the decision
makers and are they immediately available, is there a ‘duty roster’?
4. Revise your travel plans, and those of any visitors
coming to the country.
5. Revise your ‘lock down’ and access control procedures,
do you have the ability to secure your building so as to physically deny
people access?
6. Up-to-date information is key. We need to make sure
our people are not caught up in any incidents by being in the wrong place at
the wrong time; do you have the ability to monitor local TV, radio and
internet?
7. Potential strangleholds of transportation networks
will impact employees being able to access their workplace or persons to
move freely about the city... are there any key transport hubs on which you
rely and are there alternatives?
8. As usual avoid all large gatherings and demonstrations
and not be unduly alarmed by a noticeable heavy security force presence.
9. Update and practice any evacuation plans.
10. Speak with your security provider - what surge
capability do they have?
11. Above all be flexible and prepared to react as and
when required.
