Stay away from rally: Thais tell tourists
Source: Agencies |
March 11, 2010, Thursday
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TOURISTS in the Thai capital should brace for more traffic than usual and avoid sites near anti-government protests this weekend that authorities fear could turn violent, the government said yesterday.
More than 30,000 security officials will be deployed around Bangkok and 46,000 "civilian defense volunteers" are on standby for rallies scheduled to start tomorrow and run several days, said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.
Supporters of ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in a 2006 coup, have called for a "million man march" to begin nationwide tomorrow and converge in the capital on Sunday, where they plan to possibly remain several days.
Authorities estimate the turnout will be tens of thousands. On Tuesday, the government invoked its Internal Security Act, a law that gives the military special powers to restore order.
"We have confidence that we can manage to get through this situation peacefully," said Panitan. "But due to the large number of demonstrators planning to come we have concerns."
Tourists and foreigners are not targets of the protesters, who are calling for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resign and pave the way for fresh elections.
Popular tourist attractions the Grand Palace and backpacker street Khao San Road are "areas of concern" because of their proximity to the main protest site, said Bangkok Metropolitan Authority spokesman Thanom Onkeppol. Protesters plan to gather at an open field near the Grand Palace.
Protest leaders from the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, have repeatedly said they will gather peacefully and accuse the government of hyping security concerns to make them look bad.
More than 30,000 security officials will be deployed around Bangkok and 46,000 "civilian defense volunteers" are on standby for rallies scheduled to start tomorrow and run several days, said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn.
Supporters of ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in a 2006 coup, have called for a "million man march" to begin nationwide tomorrow and converge in the capital on Sunday, where they plan to possibly remain several days.
Authorities estimate the turnout will be tens of thousands. On Tuesday, the government invoked its Internal Security Act, a law that gives the military special powers to restore order.
"We have confidence that we can manage to get through this situation peacefully," said Panitan. "But due to the large number of demonstrators planning to come we have concerns."
Tourists and foreigners are not targets of the protesters, who are calling for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resign and pave the way for fresh elections.
Popular tourist attractions the Grand Palace and backpacker street Khao San Road are "areas of concern" because of their proximity to the main protest site, said Bangkok Metropolitan Authority spokesman Thanom Onkeppol. Protesters plan to gather at an open field near the Grand Palace.
Protest leaders from the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, have repeatedly said they will gather peacefully and accuse the government of hyping security concerns to make them look bad.
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