BANGKOK, 4 June 2014 – The Royal Thai Police have affirmed that no plain clothes police officers were assigned to patrol protest sites by using media arm bands as reported by a national press association.
The Thai Journalists Association has urged police to probe the alleged presence of security officers disguised as journalists near protest areas. The Royal Thai Police said initial investigations found no such officers.
They further elaborated that plain clothes police officers often carry an access pass that allows them to weave through sensitive areas and they would not need to pose as press members to gain access.
Police are however ready to monitor individuals who are not plain clothes officers but who have accessed these areas under the pretense of being reporters. New measures including tightened inspection during distribution of press arm bands are set to be imposed.
