CAPO getting ready for UDD protests : National News Bureau of Thailand

BANGKOK, 11 March 2010 (NNT) – The Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) is gearing up for mass rallies of the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) this weekend.

Speaking as the CAPO chair, Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban announced that the center would deploy 50,000 security officers for peace and safety of the people, confirming that the government would not impose a curfew during the demonstrations.

Military personnel account for three-fifth of the total forces deployed while police officers and civil servants share the rest of the portion. The officers have started their operations since Wednesday night and they will be on duty until the end of the Internal Security Act on 23 March.

The deputy prime minister promised that no violent measures would be used to control the crowd. He said officers would carry only shields and batons to protect themselves, and only tear gas and water trucks would be used according to the international standards.

The CAPO has also prepared Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) teams to prevent unrest instigation because many groups as well as a third party are expected to join the demonstrations. The SWAT teams will be ready to perform their duties within 15 minutes.

Mr Suthep then asked UDD supporters not to drive farm trucks or pick-up trucks to Bangkok to avoid traffic congestion. Personal trucks and vehicles transporting crops unrelated to the rallies are still allowed.

Demonstrators are banned from carrying weapons into the rally sites and not to trespass on government offices and residences of key figures. Entry to the premises of the military and police is forbidden while the use of media to incite people to violate the laws is also banned.