BANGKOK, Feb 6 – Thailand’s authorities will refrain from using force against protesters even if they break into the Defence headquarters, which has become the prime minister’s temporary office, according to a senior Defence Ministry official.
Permanent Secretary for Defence Nipat Thonglek said yesterday that army personnel providing security at the Defence Permanent Secretary Office were instructed to stay put, and not using weapons or batons, in dealing with protesters.
They were told to protect themselves with shields, and nothing else, he said, adding that the army personnel would provide security inside the building where caretaker Prime Minister/Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra would be working.
The Defence Ministry’s judge advocate has lodged a complaint against anti-government protesters for cutting barbed wire at the entrance of the Defence headquarters on Chaeng Wattana road on Monday.
Meanwhile, Nitithorn Lamlua, leader of the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand, said the arrest warrants for five leading members of his group would not deter them from their activities against what he termed the unlawful and corrupt government.
He said the group would intensify its movement by putting pressure on state agencies which have supported the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order.
