Security outside Parliament to be tightened up

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Security will be beefed up for the upcoming censure debate in case Parliament is encircled by demonstrators from a nearby anti-government rally.

Charoen Jankomol, first deputy House speaker, said yesterday after meeting with police that 300 officers would be stationed at five locations, including the Rama V Equestrian Statue and the front of Parliament building.

Drills will be scheduled for emergencies and escapes, which require the use of property belonging to the Royal Household Bureau.

Starting on Monday, some Army officers will scrutinise anyone entering or leaving the building.

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said officers should try to stay away from politics although no one can stop them from attending any political rally in a personal capacity. The remark was made as retired general Boonlert Kaewprasert gears up to stage an anti-government demonstration on November 24.

"The situation as it is today, is fluid and difficult. My subordinates don't know which way to go and I don't want to use the word 'neutral'. Soldiers are officers and as long as there's a Constitution and a government, they must maintain discipline. I can only look at the situation with concern and do not want to see any violence. The [protest] is part of the democratic process," he said.

Bad things have happened in the past with a loss of lives and Thailand should not go through that again, he said.

"We all know if anything got better after the loss or not. So don't do bad things again…I hope things proceed orderly and I wish the country and the people safety."

He would not say if officers who joined a political rally would be punished, but said they would be investigated. He denied allegations that soldiers will be dispatched to Bangkok, saying that only the defence minister has the authority to issue such an order. Any soldiers carrying weapons outside barracks without a permit will be prosecuted.

He wondered why soldiers should risk themselves by joining any political rally and whether their spouse forced them into joining such protests.

"Many attend with their wives because they want to know what's going on."

Pheu Thai party-list MP Thanik Maseepitak, deputy chairman of the House committee for political development, mass communications and people participation, will invite Boonlert, the leader of the Pitak Siam organisation, to appear before the committee on Wednesday to answer questions on his unconstitutional call for the military to overthrow the government.

Lt Commander Prasong Soonsiri, a prominent member of Pitak Siam, rebutted speculation that there would be a siege of Parliament and seizure of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

"That's paranoia. There will be no such thing. Who will do that?"

The gathering at the Royal Plaza would be a legal and peaceful rally, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-11-15

In the scheme of the latest press reports Parliament gets 300 police and the crowd gets 50,000? More power to the people...

Right, it's the fault of the spouses. That can be the only explanation for an officer ordered to uphold the constitution to have an independent thought.

There does appear to be a hint here though that there are graver concerns, even if only rumour or speculation, than have been released.