NATIONAL Police Chief Gen. Suwat Jangyodsok has ordered all Metropolitan Police officers to focus on maintaining law and order as three protest groups are launching rallies from today Sept. 24 to Sunday Sept. 26, Thai Rath newspaper said.
All Bangkok police station superintendents were also ordered to stay at work all 24 hours to control the situation until it returns to normalcy.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Piya Tawichai, deputy chief and spokesman of Metropolitan Police, said the protest groups arranged to rally via online platforms with the Thalu Gas group doing so during Sept. 24-26 at Din Daeng intersection where they have been clashing with crowd-control police almost every night since the middle of August. This intersection is barely a kilometre from the First Infantry Regiment barracks which houses Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s residence on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road,
Meanwhile the Thalu Fah protest group is rallying tomorrow but the time and place has not been revealed.
The third group, the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration, is gathering at the courtyard in front of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre near Pathumwan intersection on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Piya added that the Thalu Gas adolescent protesters had again last night gathered at Din Daeng intersection but then moved to Soi Mitmaitri 2 where the Din Daeng district office is located and set off firecrackers, including giant ones, flares and also used slingshots to fire glass marbles at the police.
Chaos continued here after curfew started at 9 p.m. and it was from 9.40 to 10.40 p.m. that the police were able to clear the area.
In another development the Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek road refused to grant bail to protest leader Mr. Parit Chivarak, or Penguin, in the case arising from the installation of a copy of the 1932 Khana Rasadorn plaque at Sanam Luang last year, Siam Rath newspaper said.
The court considered the request for Penguin’s temporary release submitted by his mother Mrs. Sureerat Chivarak but turned it down on the grounds that upon being previously released the suspect had again participated in political activities leading to unrest in the country.
CAPTIONS:
Top: The Thalu Gas adolescent protesters set off firecrackers at Din Daeng intersection. Photo: Matichon
Home Page: Protesters clashing with police at Din Daeng intersection recently. Photo: Siam Rath
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