BANGKOK, Jan 8 – Foreign diplomats in Thailand are scheduled to attend a briefing at the Foreign Ministry today on measures to cope with the expected anti-government protesters’ seizure of Bangkok on Monday.
Sihasak Phuangketkeow, permanent secretary for foreign affairs, said some Bangkok embassies have expressed concern over the political situation and possible inconveniences for their citizens and tourists on Monday.
He said the Foreign Ministry will explain to them the government’s preparations and measures to deal with the protesters’ threatened move to occupy major areas in the capital.
Foreign embassies will be given details of state agencies to be contacted in case of emergency, he said.
Meanwhile, the National Police Bureau said combined police and military forces will be on duty at 30 significant locations during the ‘Bangkok shutdown’ on January 13.
Deputy national police chief Worapong Chiewpreecha met urgently with metropolitan police officers yesterday to map preparations for the massive demonstrations which are intended to paralyse Bangkok.
Pol Gen Worapong said a number of schools and at least 19 hospitals are located in the occupied zones where traffic flow will be affected.
Traffic police under a royally-sponsored project, attached to the Traffic Police Division’s 6th division, will be on standby with medical equipment and promptly coordinate with the Police Hospital and Police Aviation Unit in moving patients in case of emergency, he said.
He said 56 police companies and 40 military companies will be mobilised to maintain order and provide conveniences to people in Bangkok on Monday.
