Tight security in Bangkok in wake of anti-coup protests

BANGKOK, June 1 (TNA) - Tight security has been imposed by combined soldier and police forces in Bangkok since early Sunday morning as authorities are on alert for rallies to be staged by anti-coup protesters. Seven companies of army and police personnel have been deployed around Ratchaprasong area, which is among eight major spots in the capital protestors plan to stage their rally. Other areas are King Taksin the Great Statue, Victory Monument, Democracy Monument, Lak Si Monument, Seacon Square shopping mall, Central Bang Na and Tae Pa Rak intersection. Traffic continued as usual but was rather smooth as most people preferred to stay home. Deputy national police chief Police General Somyos Pumpanmuang told journalists, while inspecting the general situation on Sunday that traffic would be opened as normal but cars suspected of transporting protesters would not be allowed to enter key business areas. Meanwhile, an unidentified woman wearing a mask bearing a word ‘People’ was arrested, while she was demonstrating in Rat-cha-pra-song intersection. The woman was taken to Lumpini police station and charged with violating the order of the National Council for Peace and Order. Soldiers and police also maintained tight security in the two northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Nan. In the northern capital of Chiang Mai, government forces were seen deployed around the governor’s office as well as at consulate offices, oil depots and at important public utility stations. Police and army personnel were dispatched to 27 border posts in Nan in an attempt to persuade protesters to refrain from travelling to Bangkok. (NTA)