Fake Thai Police Or Military Will Be Prosecuted : Suthep

[webfact]

WEEKEND'S MASS RALLIES

Fake police or military will be prosecuted : Suthep

By The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Impersonators of police or military officers would face legal action, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday warned.

Suthep, as head of a team enforcing the Internal Security Act (ISA), which took effect yesterday, held a press conference at Army headquarters to display uniformed police officers to be dispatched to the red-shirt rallies that start today.

Male and female officers from the units responsible for crowd control, patrol and rapid response, as well as Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) teams, lined up to show how they would dress and the weapons and other gear they would use during the protest period.

He said female officers would carry no weapons, while male officers would carry batons and shields. Only the Swat teams and rapid-response units will be armed, and they will be dispatched only in the event of an emergency, Suthep said.

"Anyone impersonating a police or military officer and wearing a different uniform from these shown here will be arrested and prosecuted," said Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs.

Also attending the press conference were Army chief General Anupong Paochinda, First Army Region commander Lt-General Kanit Sapitak and Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt-General Santhan Chayanont.

Five companies of Navy and Army officers will be dispatched to guard Siriraj Hospital, where His Majesty the King is staying, on top of the existing security details, Suthep said.

The deputy premier in the evening called on Somdej Phra Phutajahn, who heads a monastic committee acting on behalf of the Supreme Patriarch, at his temple, Wat Saket. Suthep said beforehand that he would tell the senior monk no blacklist of pro-red-shirt monks existed, as had been rumoured.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said the public should carefully consider any news they received, so as not to be duped by rumour-mongers.

He rejected as groundless one rumour that the government had closed down the People's Channel, which is run by some red-shirt leaders.

Abhisit insisted the anti-government channel would not be shut as long as it did not break the law.

Television stations can tell their audience to protest against the government, but it is illegal to encourage them to destroy government property, kill anyone or break the law in any other way.

"There's a lot of strange news circulating at this time. I ask all of you to screen what you hear carefully.

This government will explain the actions it takes in an open and transparent manner. Whatever action we take will be subject to scrutiny.

Don't panic about the news you get, as there are a lot of rumours running around," the prime minister said.

Since midnight early yesterday, the first day of the ISA's enforcement, security checkpoints have been activated at the main rally site on Rajdamnoen Avenue and elsewhere around the capital.

Military, police and civilian forces have been deployed at checkpoints, and security has been tightened at key locations like Democracy Monument and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

The Interior Ministry has stepped up security to prevent attempts by protesters to trespass and use its offices for accommodations during the mass rally.

The Peacekeeping Operations Command will deploy 30,000 soldiers, 10,000 Bangkok policemen and a contingent of 10,000 civilians to safeguard the peace.

Suthep outlined the steps for keeping the peace:

- The red shirts have been warned against blocking traffic and raiding and seizing government offices or the homes of leading figures.

- Peacekeeping forces will be unarmed. Each officer will be issued a baton and shield for self-protection.

- Only the Swat teams and rapid-response units will be armed, in order to quell any violence that may occur. They are on standby and can be deployed at a scene within 15 minutes.

- If it is deemed necessary to disperse any unruly crowds, anti-riot operations will conform to international standards involving the use of tear gas and water cannons.

-- The Nation 2010-03-12

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[gotlost]

I don't see a Thai Tourist Police Volunteer uniform in the photo.

[kerm99]

He said female officers would carry no weapons, while male officers would carry batons and shields

Only in Thailand!!!!!!!

[neverdie]

He said female officers would carry no weapons, while male officers would carry batons and shields

Only in Thailand!!!!!!!

Sounds like they are worried about weapons retention. If only they trained them properly

[animatic]

Probably should have just MADE the uniform announcement, and not SHOWN the uniforms to be worn,

keep the tricksters guessing and more likely to make a mistake...

Unless they NOW change them from what they showed,

and anyone dressed like the picture suddenly becomes a fake...

Nah. I some how doubt they think that far ahead.

[Phuket1]

"Anyone impersonating a police or military officer and wearing a different uniform from these shown here will be arrested and prosecuted," said Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs.

So what about fake police and or military man using the same uniform.

[givenall]

Where do you get fake police. MBK?

[mca]

Where do you get fake police. MBK?

Yeah if you buy 5 you get 1 free.

Of course being cynical there's a lot of fake police who attended police training school and draw a full police officer's salary if you consider the effort they put in doing the actual job they're supposed to.

[gotlost]

All Fake Police are made and imported from China.

[joeyswags]

The Peacekeeping Operations Command will deploy 30,000 soldiers, 10,000 Bangkok policemen and a contingent of 10,000 civilians to safeguard the peace.

Who are these 10,000 "civilians" and what power do they have to keep peace??? Really, serious question....sounds like you dont need to fake being a police or military figure...is it just show up and ask for a uniform!

[bushwacker]

hmmmm....

"Only the Swat teams and rapid-response units will be armed, in order to quell any violence that may occur. They are on standby and can be deployed at a scene within 15 minutes."

Are they telling the bad guys that if they decide to do anything that they should limit themselves to less than 15 minutes to ensure a fast get-a-way?

[MyphuketLife]

The Peacekeeping Operations Command will deploy 30,000 soldiers, 10,000 Bangkok policemen and a contingent of 10,000 civilians to safeguard the peace.

Who are these 10,000 "civilians" and what power do they have to keep peace??? Really, serious question....sounds like you dont need to fake being a police or military figure...is it just show up and ask for a uniform!

The "civilians" will be wearing the famous blue shirts.

[LivinLOS]

All Fake Police are made and imported from China.

I thought he was from New Zealand ??

[ukfool]

Great, Now EVERYONE knows what to dress like.

[ukfool]

Aren't corrupt people who take backhanders, turn a blind eye to crimes that are profitable for their 'organisation' all FAKE police ?

[hunglikea]

All Fake Police are made and imported from China.

I thought he was from New Zealand ??

This one?

Fake police

[languageexpress]

...we wouldn't want any undeserving fake police getting a slice of the lucrative backhander industry.

[ScubaBuddha]

All Thai police are fake.

[mazeltov]

"Anyone impersonating a police or military officer and wearing a different uniform from these shown here will be arrested and prosecuted," said Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs.

So what about fake police and or military man using the same uniform.

they will be arrested and prosecuted too. but they will get a free The Nation subscription during jail time.

[gemini81]

Where do you get fake police. MBK?

pattaya: white dudes in SWAT vehicles.

[FarangRed]

Believe that when i see it, they should come down to Rawai and see all the wanna bee's running around with gun's and walkie talkies flashing lights, even pulling guns out in the bar

[elcent]

where's SNAFU the SWAT?

[elcent]

Where do you get fake police. MBK?

pattaya: white dudes in SWAT vehicles.

these are no fakes, they're real and cops need to buy it themselves. There are plenty of shops to buy from, like as the Uniform shops for students, lol.

[hunglikea]

where's SNAFU the SWAT?

As he is still on bail he can't take part I suppose. Sure he must be kicking himself - or someone else

SIFU/<deleted>

[bangon04]

Maybe they should give some advice on how to spot the fake "female" officers in Thailand, who are often carrying a concealed baton under their uniforms...

[Sisaketmike]

He said female officers would carry no weapons, while male officers would carry batons and shields

Only in Thailand!!!!!!!

The females do carry weapons, but under their uniform.