AYUTTHAYA, March 13 – Over one thousand police are prepared to tighten security to prevent any untoward incident this weekend as the pro-government red shirt movement plans a mass rally by both land and water on Saturday.
Police Region 1 commander Pol Lt Gen Nares Nanthachote said that 1,277 police officers are on standby to prevent any untoward incident, while police also set up a dozen checkpoints in the Ayutthaya provincial seat and its outskirts. They will also monitor the situation in at risk high rise buildings in four locations.
Gen Nares expressed confidence that there will be no violence on that day.
Supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) are scheduled to rally by boat caravan March 15, sailing in the Chao Phraya River from Wat Kasattrathirat pier via the Pasak River and disembark at Chandrakasem pier, before marching to its main rally stage in the provincial sport stadium in the evening.
UDD chair Thida Thavornseth urged the UDD supporters to closely monitor the situation saying that Saturday’s rally in the old capital is aimed at clarifying the current political situation for them, as well as rehearsing for future nationwide protests.
Another red shirt leader Nisit Sinthuprai said the protesters will embark in 200 boats, starting from 9am.
