By Thai Newsroom Reporters
THE METROPOLITAN POLICE have encouraged residents in the neighbourhood of Din Daeng intersection to give tip-offs pertaining to any looming, untoward incidents which might possibly be triggered tomorrow (Sept. 19) by adolescent street protesters in the area.
In a press conference today, Metropolitan Police spokesman Pol. Maj. Gen. Piya Tawichai said all Din Daeng residents have been strongly advised to cooperate with the police by looking out in their neighbourhood for any looming trouble which might be possibly perpetrated by the group of adolescent street protesters called Thalu Gas and immediately alert the police.
Some protesters might probably take cover or seek shelter in the neighbourhood whereas the crowd-control police may manage to secure the area and protect the uninvolved residents, Pol. Maj. Gen. Piya said.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Phakhaphong Phongphetra has visited some of the apartments located near Din Daeng intersection to solicit working cooperation from the residents, mostly being low-income earners.
The splinter Thalu Gas group are expected to continue to provoke clashes with crowd-control police in Din Daeng intersection area tomorrow from late afternoon until late evening whereas a relatively massive gathering of other street protesters in protest of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is scheduled in Asoke area on Sukhumvit Road less than 10 kilometres away, according to the Metropolitan Police spokesman.
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He reassured that the local residents will be effectively protected by the police and kept out of harm’s way during the anticipated clashes between the adolescent protesters and crowd-control police.
The young protesters have intermittently hurled firecrackers and flares and used slingshot projectiles while the police have used high-pressure water from water cannons and fired tear gas and rubber bullets.
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Scenes of a recent clash between protesters and riot police at Din Daeng intersection. All photos: Thai Rath