Bangkok Beefs Up Security For Newyear Celebrations

[george]

Bangkok beefs up security for New Year celebrations

BANGKOK -- Thailand's capital is welcoming the New Year with beefed up security as well as neon-light decorations.

New Year countdown at several popular downtown places is a major official celebrating event in Bangkok. Beer garden, jazz concerts have been set up at the Central World Plaza in central Bangkok.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is scheduled to arrive at the venue to congratulate people on the New Year.

While the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) predicts a 150-million-baht (3.57-million-US dollar) cash income brought by the festival celebrations, Bangkok police are working hard to assure public safety under the joyous atmosphere.

More than 1,000 policemen and soldiers would be deployed to provide security at the Central World Plaza and the National Stadium on the New Year's eve, senior police said on Tuesday.

Most officers would be concentrated at Central World Plaza, because a lot of youngsters are expected to be there with concertsgoing on from 1:00 p.m. until the New Year countdown, newspaper The Nation quoted a police officer as saying.

Security would also be beefed up at embassies. Experts have warned that a high population of foreign tourists makes Thailand aperfect target for terrorist attack.

--Agencies 2003-12-31