Almost 200,000 police deployed to secure countdown venues in Thailand

BANKGOK, December 31 (TNA) – Nearly 200,000 police officers have been mobilized to ensure order at New Year countdown events across Thailand on the New Year’s Eve, according to deputy national police chief. New Year countdown in the country should go smoothly tonight, Police General Ruangsak Jarit-ek said after leading police officers to inspect security operation a countdown venue at the Asiatique shopping center on Charoen Krung Road in Bangkok Wednesday. He said some 1,500 mobile police units have also been put on standby and they are capable of arriving at a scene of an incident within five minutes after being notified. Assuring police’s preparedness on the New Year’s Eve, Police General Ruangsak said there would be New Year countdown events on 28 locations in 16 provinces tonight. In Bangkok, such events will be held at CentralWorld and Asiatique shopping centers and Sanam Luang ground, said Police General Ruangsak. Police will facilitate traffic flows in their vicinities, search for weapons and patrol to prevent any terror acts. The deputy police chief said intelligence reports do not find any sign of an untoward incident. (TNA)