Security measures intensified at government offices

NONTHABURI, THAILAND, January 17 (TNA) - Security measures have been stepped up to protect Thai government offices and other important places, as "Bangkok shutdown" with spreading rallies by anti-government protesters have continued for the 5th consecutive day. The intensified security measures were in response to anti-government protest leaders' announcement that they would lead their supporters to continue laying siege at more government offices, including the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence in Muang Thong Thani on the outskirts of Bangkok, now the temporary office of Caretaker Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Yingluck discussed security issues concerning anti-government protests with authorities concerned at the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence on Friday morning. The caretaker prime minister then gave an interview to foreign journalists from 15 international news agencies on the updated domestic political situation. National Security Council (NSC) Secretary-General Lieutenant General Paradorn Pattanatabutr assessed that the ongoing anti-government protests might be dragged on until the new general election date on February 2, 2014. Meanwhile, General Nipat Thonglek, Permanent Secretary for Defence, ordered soldiers to be neutral politically and not to join any political demonstration in their uniforms. The order followed recent arrests of armed soldiers with evidence indicating their involvement with the ongoing political demonstrations.(TNA)