BANGKOK, Oct 31 –– National Police Chief Adul Saengsingkaew said police require three days to evaluate the anti-Amnesty Bill protest before deciding whether to expand the enforcement areas of the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Pol Gen Adul said he reported the latest situation to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra particularly the Democrat Party led protest this evening at Samsen railway station.
He said the premier stressed that appropriate law enforcement must be applied to handle the demonstrations.
The police chief said the authorities expected 20,000-30,000 people, mostly Bangkok residents, would join the rally at Samsen railway station.
He said there was no plan to expand the ISA enforcement areas, pending an evaluation to be completed in three days.
The security agencies would focus on security measures mainly at Government House and Parliament.
The government on October 18 announced the extended enforcement of the emergency security measure in the three key government districts of Dusit, Phra Nakhon and Pom Prap Sattru Phai through November 30 to handle the protests.
Gen Adul said 40 companies of police would be deployed to ensure the safety of the rallygoers while the Traffic Police Division would be responsible to help motorists.
Pol Maj Gen Jirasant Kaewsaengek, city traffic police commander, said the police closed routes around the protest site at Samsen railway station including Setthasiri and Kampaengpetch roads.
He said the traffic would be adjusted in accordance with the situation.
Meanwhile, the Railway Police Division commander Pol Maj Gen Thanang Buranon said he prepared one 36-man police unit to help train passengers.
A centre has been set up to take care of the demonstration situation and train services, he added.
