Thai Supreme Court Judges Offered Safe House

[webfact]

FEB 26 ASSETS TRIAL

Judges offered safe house

By THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- In preparation for the turmoil expected when the court verdict on ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's assets-seizure case is issued, the Court of Justice is doing everything to keep the judges and court officials safe, an official said yesterday.

The government today will also step up measures to beef up security to maintain law and order nationwide.

Supreme Court Chairman Sobchoke Sukharom called a meeting yesterday with security agencies to seek help in ensuring the safety of all court officials and judges, said Court of Justice Secretary Virat Chinwinitkul.

"If any judges of the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders feel unsafe or uncomfortable with the situation, they may request more security or safe transportation," he said.

'TEMPORARY RESORT'

"We can also provide them with a safe place to stay during the critical period. It will not be a safe house, but rather more like a temporary resort."

The situation in the country is becoming increasingly tense as the court prepares to rule on Thaksin's case 10 days from now. A grenade exploded in a university campus near Government House on Saturday night, while a bomb was defused in the Court of Justice compound on Sunday. No one has claimed responsibility, but authorities indicated the incidents only intensified the ongoing political tension.

Thaksin's red-shirt supporters yesterday said they would not organise any demonstrations to pressure the court but could not stop any independent groups or individuals from calling protests.

Red-shirt leader Veera Musigapong said all Thai citizens had the right to picket at the court on the day of the verdict.

"The assets-seizure case is only another example of double standards," he said.

Meanwhile, the National Security Council will propose to the Cabinet meeting today that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva set up a special committee to oversee the situation, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday.

"Any violence or chaos would hurt the country, so security agencies should map out measures to prevent such situations from occurring," Suthep told reporters after meeting with security agencies.

The security committee would be chaired by Suthep himself and include other relevant officials, such as Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, he said.

The committee would also be given the right to call an urgent meeting at any time of the day or night, to ensure quick response and timely recommendations for measures, such as implementing the Internal Security Act, Suthep said.

However, Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said it was not necessary to impose the security law right now.

The metropolitan police force would be in charge of the capital, while commanders from four army regions, the Internal Security Operation Command and provincial governors would oversee the rest of the country, he said.

The Special Branch Police and the military earlier warned there would be a number of violence-prone areas in Bangkok. People have been told to be careful in places that are politically symbolic, such as Democracy Monument, Government House, Parliament, the Foreign Ministry, courts, the National Anti-Corruption Commission office, residences of the Privy Councillors and areas near Army headquarters and Dusit Palace.

Acting police chief Pol General Pateep Tanprasert yesterday ordered the police to boost operations before the court issued its verdict.

Police will implement its Korakot operation plan to handle the situation, he said.

Pateep said police were prepared to maintain law and order via peaceful means during demonstrations.

Prior to the verdict, the police will deploy more officers to oversee the capital, with more security checkpoints being set up and more rapid patrol units sent to take care of violence-prone areas in Bangkok, he said.

The homes of important political figures, such as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and judges, will also be under heavy security, Pateep said.

The police chief said he would ask the military to dispatch soldiers to help provide security in the capital, since he had inadequate manpower to do the job.

-- The Nation 2010-02-16

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[SomTumTiger]

Good for them to prepare this. From the look of it, T's money and desperation are going to bring out the thugs and hoodlums. See Seh Daeng's military hardware emporium to stock up on the latest pilfered c-4 and m-79s.

[brahmburgers]

Sad but realistic: safe house arrangements being offered to trial judges.

[Donnyboy]

i wouldnt be surprised if they announced the verdict elsewhere at the last minute

[Donnyboy]

so no chance of a big lunchbox to get thru to them then?

[Credo]

The Court is sitting on the biggest lunch box of all.

I think they are talking about staying at resorts--not 'safe' houses.

[Insight]

Some recent advice may of suppressed appetites anyhow...

[geriatrickid]

I don't care what side of the political divide one is on, the targeting of judges or their attempted murder is unacceptable.

However, I think that if the situation was that serious, the protective measures should have been undertaken quietly. When a death threat is made against a judge in other countries, protection is increased without public disclosure and if a judge is relocated, it is never even discussed publicly.

Perhaps, the intent here is not the judges' security, but is rather one of providing additional justification for the imposition of martial law.

[Credo]

Bingo, Geriatrickid, they are aiming at imposition of martial law. They have already raided Seh Dang's munitions and if the gov't has an ounce of common sense, he's being watched very carefully. The bombs were military issue, no one hurt, one found quite easily and all making big news. The attack on Anupong's office, however, managed to stay concealed for several days.

This seems more like a propaganda war than anything else. Way too much public hype.

There certainly is reason for the gov't to be prepared and be ready for any contingency, but do you usually let your adversary know what your strategy is?

[Thai at Heart]

As I have mentioned before, why do they omniscient leaders have to tell absolutely EVERYTHING of their not so cunning plans.

Why would you announce that you are going to put the people up in a "resort" of a sort. If they can keep the location secret for 10 minutes I will be very surprised. These statements which have been followed by a statement that the press should report carefully show what a keystone cops escapade this entire court case has become. If the government's own spokespeople can't keep their bloody mouths shut, it is their fault that the situation appears (and I state appears) to becoming more heated.

There can be one and and only one reason for these continuous statements about how dire the situation appears to be and that is that the govt/army want to be able to impose and emergency decree or martial law. On the basis that the reds will work out that they have nothing to lose, and the army wants to impose the above, expect there to be more random attacks since it suits both sides.

[brahmburgers]

Right, it wouldn't take a whole lot of Sherlock Holmes to figure out which judges are staying at which resorts. Then have someone deliver a box of donuts with a red rose, which happens to have a diamond necklace enclosed in an envelope with a thank you note, signed 'someone who loves you'.

[Donnyboy]

^ or alternatively, someone waking up with a severed horses head in their bed.

Maybe ive watched too many gangster movies