Police Take Precautions Against Possible Violence In Bangkok And Nearby Provinces

[webfact]

Police take precautions against possible violence in Bangkok and nearby provinces

By The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- The national police chief has ordered more checkpoints to try to prevent the movement of explosive components, amid fears of possible bombs in Bangkok and neighbouring areas. He also sent officials to check on shops selling such substances.

The head of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), meanwhile, has urged the speedy arrest of 18 terrorist suspects who remain at large - to prevent them from causing any violence.

A Nonthaburi apartment explosion on Tuesday - which killed four people including a suspected bomb-maker - reportedly used urea fertiliser, packed in a cooking-gas or fire-extinguisher cylinder, along with flash powder and gunpowder.

National police chief General Wichean Potephosree ordered Metropolitan Police, Provincial Police Region 1-9 and related police units to follow guidelines to prevent and intercept the transport of explosive components.

First, police will ask shops selling urea fertiliser to observe details and alert police about any customers who are not regulars or farmers who place suspicious orders. Second, police will also tell shops selling fireworks to follow regulations closely.

They should be especially alert to anyone buying giant or rocket fireworks, because they contained a lot of flash powder and gunpowder.

Third, police will set up more checkpoints to check vehicles transporting urea fertiliser, gas tanks, fire extinguisher cylinders and air-con liquid tanks and record their information on a database. Fourth, police will tell scavenger shops to take note of anyone buying gas tanks, fire extinguisher cylinders and air-con liquid tanks and alert police of suspicious customers.

Meanwhile, DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said he would get DSI officials to closely observe today's red-shirt rally.

He said that so far there were no reports of anyone planning violence. But he added that the Nonthaburi bomb indicated Thailand was unlikely to remain peaceful, because some ill-intentioned groups were preparing heavy weapons to create violence.

Tharit also called a meeting yesterday to urge DSI investigators to hunt for 18 terrorist suspects who remain at large, in order to prevent them from creating violence. He said that some suspects, who were also red-shirt leaders, continued to hide in other countries, and some also brought their family members with them. He said the DSI tried but could not operate in neighbouring countries for fear of affecting international relations.

A source at the DSI said that previously there was conflicting intelligence information within the Centre for Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) over whether an underground movement had stopped creating chaos. The Nonthaburi bomb, however, convinced the CRES that they were still active. Accordingly the centre ordered beefed up security at risky places such as fuel depots, electricity and tap water generating offices, and would also guard VIPs.

In Nonthaburi's Bang Bua Thong district, the Tambon Administrative Organisation was considering whether to demolish the Saman Metta Mansion, where the bomb exploded on Tuesday, after an inspection by public works officials found the structure was damaged beyond repair. The organisation would tell the landlord, Saman Boonprasert, that the building must be demolished for the safety of tenants and neighbours and will proceed after police investigators finish their work.

Meanwhile, Khunying Porntip Rojanasunand, director of the Justice Ministry's Central Institute of Forensic Science, said yesterday she had presented the results of a forensic inspection of the Saman Metta Mansion to certain special places, besides the police investigation, the CRES committee and the Nonthaburi governor. She declined to give details, as it is an ongoing and "sensitive" investigation.

Meanwhile, Bangkok police chief Pol Lt-Gen Chakthip Chaijinda said the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court yesterday issued an arrest warrant for a man who rented a Bang Rak apartment where police found a cache of war weapons three days ago. The warrant for Suksan Rungviren is for illegally possessing weapons found in his room on Rama IV Road.

On Thursday, police found a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, an AK assault rifle, four RPG grenades and 750 AK47 cartridges in Suksan's rented room. Chakthip yesterday said police would also check the RPG to see if it was the same one used to shoot an RPG at the Defence Ministry in March.

In related news, the parents of red-shirt guard Kittichai Chansawat - arrested while sneaking out of a training camp in Chiang Mai and leading to the arrest of other 11 red-shirt guards - yesterday dismissed their son's alleged involvement in a Bt20-million assassination plot against Bhum Jai Thai Party de facto leader Newin Chidchob. His father Niran Chasawat said his 24-year-old son served as a draftee in Prachin Buri but deserted to become a guard for the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

When the red-shirts protested, he became a red-shirt guard. Niran said his son had a history of mental problems due to premature birth and had to meet a psychiatrist at Wachira Hospital occasionally. He said Kittichai was later so occupied with red-shirt rallies he missed doctor's appointments. He said his son was not capable and thus most unlikely to be involved in the reported Bt20-million assassination plot against Newin.

-- The Nation 2010-10-10

[asiawatcher]

" ...The organisation would tell the landlord, Saman Boonprasert, that the building must be demolished"

So does the landlord get any compensation or is the 400,000 Baht per head only for bombers and terrorists?

"... Chasawat said his 24-year-old son served as a draftee in Prachin Buri but deserted to become a guard for the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). When the red-shirts protested, he became a red-shirt guard. Niran said his son had a history of mental problems"

Great - another armed nut case looking to be part of anything violent - red, yellow or whatever. And that is exactly the profile the propagators of terrorism want because he is easily brainwashed and is expendable.

There is no doubt the ongoing attempts to undermine the Thai Government still exists and there are serious financial backers and power brokers behind this. I would think Thaksin's enduring silence would be an indicator to his involvement and perhaps he is listening to the advice of his Canadian lawyer/PR man - keep your mouth shut and let everyone keep guessing.

Edited October 10, 2010 by asiawatcher

[dumpling]

It seems increasing likely that we are sadly going to see more violence in one form or another very soon.

I have family arriving for a visit and I think that the usual tourist hang outs will be removed from the schedule just to be cautious, I hope that nothing happens whilst they are here as I think that it would put them off from ever coming back.

Years ago before all of this started they were considering a retirement home here then the protests started so that idea went out the window and then it was just visits 2/3 times in the year, then the airport was taken over and their visits decreased to once a year, then we had the red protest which resulted in cancellation of a trip and now they are due again and there are reports and warnings of attacks.

This is just my family but I am sure it is a situation that has and is happening to others as for new arrivals they continue to trickle in due to most being unaware of the problems.

I just wish the country would get its act together before we reach tipping point and Thailand is taken off the tourist map.

[Thai at Heart]

Is this a crackdown on possible illegal activity.

Ah. That would be policing by another definition.

[foxteen]

Yeah is about time thailand should behave better and provide tourist better safety conditions .I just wish the country would get its act together before we reach tipping point and Thailand is taken off the tourist map.

[trogers]

How effective are police revolvers against M79 and AK47?

[rubl]

How effective are police revolvers against M79 and AK47?

don't worry, the army is just a phone call away

[sjjmmi]

:cheesy: :cheesy:

How effective are police revolvers against M79 and AK47?

don't worry, the army is just a phone call away

[petedk]

How effective are police revolvers against M79 and AK47?

How effective are the checkpoints???

All I ever seem to see is a group of police officers sitting around talking. How do they know who to stop?

Same on MRT the actual security checks are worthless as the security staff never really check the baggage.

I think it's all show just to say that the police have done their part in the security operations.

[rbrick49]

How effective are police revolvers against M79 and AK47?

not efective they may as well throw stones

[goldmonky]

How effective are police revolvers against M79 and AK47?

don't worry, the army is just a phone call away

yes my mum is only a phone call away . but like 12,000 Km.also doesn`t always answer the phone

Edited October 10, 2010 by goldmonky