Army In Show Of Force In Chiang Mai

Army in show of force in Chiang Mai

Armoured personnel carriers rolled along major roads in Chiang Mai yesterday and were parked outside the houses of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his leading supporters.

Chiang Mai residents saw soldiers, tanks and armoured personnel carriers take to the streets and station themselves at important government offices including Chiang Mai Provincial Hall and the offices of the provincial administrative organisation, as well as on main roads linking districts in the province.

More than 10 heavily armed military officials guarded Thaksin's house at Chiang Mai Green Valley and denied entry to outsiders.

Chiang Mai is Thaksin's political stronghold. A commissioned officer said the city had been under military control since Tuesday night.

Thaksin's leading local supporter, the Mayor of Chiang Mai Municipality, Bunlert Buranupakorn, was asked to stay calm and not to instigate protests against the coup.

Military men also detained Surapol Kiatichaiyakorn, a former Chiang Mai MP, shortly after he arrived at Chiang Mai Airport. Sources believe he was taken to a military area and was asked to remain there and not to instigate protests.

Soldiers also surrounded the house of former Thai Rak Thai MP Pakorn Buranupakorn, in Chiang Mai's San Kamphaeng district, and searched for him.

Pakorn, who was behind the recent destruction of a Democrat Party rally stage at Chiang Mai University, was not at home and was believed to be in Bangkok.

More than 3,000 soldiers have been deployed to check bus and air travellers in Chiang Mai.