POLICE said the clearing of a protest camp near the Government House early this morning (March 28) was within the law with several wrongdoings having been registered while they are fully prepared for a rally planned to be held near Asok BTS station this evening, Siam Rath newspaper said.
Pol. Col. Krisana Pattanacharoen, deputy spokesman of the Royal Thai Police, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Piya Tawichai, deputy chief and spokesman of Metropolitan Police, announced the result of the operation to recover the protest camp, or “Thalu Fah village” (Through the Sky village) that was undertaken from 5.50 a.m. onwards after several complaints had been filed at Nang Loeng Police Station.
Among the wrongdoings cited in setting up the camp at the edge of Prem Prachakorn canal, Rama 5 Road, beside Rajamangala University of Technology with this being opposite the Government House, are governmental land encroachment, theft by secreting electricity and water supply, connecting sewage ducts into drainage ditches, obstructing traffic and disturbing people in the neighborhood.
Police had given the protesters encamped at this site warnings since March 13 and this morning 70 of them were arrested and taken to Border Patrol Police Division 1 complex.
A search of a large tent at the rear also found a kilogramme of marijuana and two one-litre bottles of kratom drink.
Five toilets had been built by connecting to the sewerage system.
Regarding the planned rally this evening near BTS Asok station, police units from Metropolitan Police Division 5 and Lumpini police station have geared up to take care of the situation, they said.
CAPTION:
Scenes from the clearing of the protest camp early this morning. Photos: Siam Rath
