10.10.09 Thailand to deploy 18,000 security personnel at ASEAN Summit
Thailand's Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) on Friday
approved a security plan for the upcoming summit of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with 18,000 personnel to be deployed to
maintain order at and around the summit venues in the Thai seaside
resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin.
The government earlier resolved to invoke the Internal Security Act
(ISA) to maintain law and order between October 12 and 27 in five
sub-districts of Phetchaburi's Cha-am district and four sub-districts
of Prachuab Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district.
Dr Panitan Wattanayakorn, deputy secretary-general to the prime
minister, said that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva chaired the ISOC
meeting which was attended by Defence Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan,
Supreme Commander Gen. Songkitti Jakkabatra, three armed forces
commanders-in chief and acting national police chief Pol. Gen. Pratheep
Tanprasert.
Dr Panitan, who is also acting government spokesman, said the
meeting approved the "Cha-am-Hua Hin 521" operational plan and the
establishment of a joint security operations centre for the 15th ASEAN
Summit under the supervision by Defence Minister.
The deputy secretary-general added that combined forces of 18,298
security personnel, including 4,000 police and 5,000 military, will be
deployed to maintain order during the ASEAN Summit and related meetings.
"The ISOC meeting has evaluated that there will likely be movement
from three groups; political activists in Phetchaburi and Prachuab
Khiri Khan provinces, environmental activists and academic groups as
well as some groups from other provinces, " said Dr Panitan.
We have already coodinated with them to gather in specific areas designated for demonstration, said Dr Panitan.
The acting government spokesman however affirmed that intelligence
agencies have so far not found any suspicious movements linked to
international terrorist groups, but it would continue keeping a close
watch saying that the Royal Thai Navy will also monitor the sea area
of 12 nautical miles adjacent to the three nautical miles (5.6
kilometre) zone declared off-limits, while security personnel will
monitor important spots in the Thai capital.
"The prime minister reiterated that the upcoming summit will prove
to other nations that situation in Thailand has returned to normal and
the country can organise international meetings after its reputation
was tarnished when anti-government protesters stormed into the ASEAN
Summit venues in Pattaya forcing the cancellation of the meeting," said
Dr Panitan. (TNA) Source: TNA, 10.10.09 http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=12210
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