Police to replace military for security duties: CAPO

[webfact]

POLITICS
Police to replace military for security duties: CAPO

BANGKOK: -- The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) will adjust the deployment of troops to provide security in Bangkok by replacing soldiers with police, the caretaker deputy premier said on Tuesday.

Surapong Tovichakchaikul, as CAPO chief adviser, said that once the caretaker cabinet approved extending enforcement of the Internal Security Act (ISA) for another 61 days until June 30, the number of the military would be reduced while police would be increased.

There were currently 58 companies of soldiers deployed in Bangkok and adjacent provinces for security, he said, but now the police will assume wider responsibility

More details will follow in one to three days, he said. The adjustment is designed to ensure more effective law enforcement. The Army will remain in place at Government House.

The change is in part a result of the easing situation, with the number of protesters shrinking and the progovernment United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) announcing they would not confront rival groups, Surapong said.

-- The Nation 2014-04-29

[Costas2008]

With the final push from Sutherp coming up, I hate to think of the protection the police will provide to the Yellow supporters.

Or is this an excuse from CAPO to facilitate their supporters, to throw grenades and kill innocent people?

[webfact]

CAPO to cut numbers of soldiers, police replacements to provide security in capital
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, April 29 -- The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) will adjust the deployment of troops to provide security in the capital by reducing the number of soldiers replacing them with police, according to caretaker Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs Surapong Tovichakchaikul.

In his capacity as CAPO's chief advisor Mr Surapong said after the caretaker cabinet approved extending enforcement of the Internal Security Act (ISA) for another 61 days through June 30, the agency is reducing the number of military but increasing the number of police.

There were 58 companies of soldiers deployed in Bangkok and adjacent provinces for security, he said, but now the police will have wider responsibility.

More details will follow in 1-3 days, he said. The adjustment is aimed for more effective law enforcement.

The Army will remain in place at Government House.

The change was in part a result of the eased situation, as the number of protesters is shrinking and the pro-government United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) announced that they would not confront the rival group, said Mr Surapong.

Mr Surapong said that preparations are underway for caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's trip to attend the ASEAN Summit in Myanmar's Naypyidaw on May 11.

It will be the final summit of leaders before the regional bloc becomes the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) next year, he said.

Mr Surapong said Ms Yingluck has not yet decided whether to attend the summit or not. Mr Surapong would represent the caretaker premier if she does not attend the summit. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-04-29

[TVGerry]

The Royal Thai Police are among the most professional in the world!

Expect more bombs going off in the city with them taking over from the military.

[Robby nz]

They most certainly haven't cleared that with the army.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/722301-thai-army-chief-says-public-safety-to-come-first-in-troop-scale-down/he

He will have to realize one day that is in no position to order the military around.

Mr Surapong said that preparations are underway for caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's trip to attend the ASEAN Summit in Myanmar's Naypyidaw on May 11.

It will be the final summit of leaders before the regional bloc becomes the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) next year, he said.

Mr Surapong said Ms Yingluck has not yet decided whether to attend the summit or not. Mr Surapong would represent the caretaker premier if she does not attend the summit. (MCOT online news)

Come May 11th none of them may be in a position to represent anything.

[AleG]

Stand by for the celebratory gunfire...

[webfact]

Prayuth urges police to guarantee if they can keep security if troops pulled out from Bangkok streets

BANGKOK: -- Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha Tuesday demanded police to guarantee that they could prevent violence in Bangkok if troops would be pulled out from Bangkok streets and sent back to their barracks.

Prayuth was reacting to reports that the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order had decided to replace troops with police forces in keeping security in Bangkok.

The Army has maintained troops on Bangkok streets near rally sites to prevent violent attacks. The red-shirt movement alleged that the Army chief deployed troops to protect anti-government protesters instead of keeping law and order.

Prayuth said there were still conditions for violence so if the CAPO would order troops to return to their barracks, police would have to guarantee that would be able to keep security and assure the people of safety.


-- The Nation 2014-04-29

[Pimay1]

The guards of the hen house are being replaced by the foxes. Makes sense to me.

[Scamper]

" The change is in part a result of the easing situation, with the number of protesters shrinking and the progovernment United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) announcing they would not confront rival groups, Surapong said. "

Surapong has certainly changed his tune. Everyone can see through this transparency. It is profoundly cynical and no one in Bangkok will feel safer as a result of it, let alone the protesters.

" Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha Tuesday demanded police to guarantee that they could prevent violence in Bangkok if troops would be pulled out from Bangkok streets and sent back to their barracks. "

Prayuth's comments indicate very clearly that he wasn't even consulted. Prayuth was " reacting to reports from " from CAPO. In other words, through the TV like everyone else. As always, Surapong gets in front of a microphone and the issue is just settled as far as he and Thaksin are concerned. Hence, Prayuth is " demanding " a guarantee " from the police that they will be able to prevent violence. One wonders how the police could make such an assurance. Would a verbal assurance from Chalerm be enough ? What about the police's history of handling this before the army were called in - surely that pretty well summed up that they were utterly hopeless at it. The question is - what does Surapong want - competency or the lack of it ?

Edited April 29, 2014 by Scamper

[chainarong]

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" The change is in part a result of the easing situation, with the number of protesters shrinking and the progovernment United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) announcing they would not confront rival groups, Surapong said. "

Surapong has certainly changed his tune. Everyone can see through this transparency. It is profoundly cynical and no one in Bangkok will feel safer as a result of it, let alone the protesters.

" Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha Tuesday demanded police to guarantee that they could prevent violence in Bangkok if troops would be pulled out from Bangkok streets and sent back to their barracks. "

Prayuth's comments indicate very clearly that he wasn't even consulted. Prayuth was " reacting to reports from " from CAPO. In other words, through the TV like everyone else. As always, Surapong gets in front of a microphone and the issue is just settled as far as he and Thaksin are concerned. Hence, Prayuth is " demanding " a guarantee " from the police that they will be able to prevent violence. One wonders how the police could make such an assurance. Would a verbal assurance from Chalerm be enough ? What about the police's history of handling this before the army were called in - surely that pretty well summed up that they were utterly hopeless at it. The question is - what does Surapong want - competency or the lack of it ?

I would say Scamper that the political ploy is about to begin, an excuse to let the red shirt thugs off the leash, General Prayuth might have second thoughts about Surapong and ignore the instruction, the police could not give such a guarantee .

[than]

If violence erupt again or deadly attack back in Bangkok, the only responsible would be Surapong !

Shame of you limb of the devil !

[ramrod711]

The change was in part a result of the eased situation, as the number of protesters is shrinking and the pro-government United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) announced that they would not confront the rival group, said Mr Surapong.

Well, as long as the UDD has given their word the police probably will not be needed either. Who amongst us wouldn't trust those two upstanding citizens, paragons of truth that they are, Jatuporn and Nattawut.

[Smokemachine]

Less army and more police.

S.h.i.T is coming.