UDD gathering at Sanam Luang amid tight security

BANGKOK, Aug 17 (TNA) – Supporters of the anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) braved rain to gather at Sanam Luang early Monday morning for a mass demonstration which will submit a petition to seek a royal pardon for ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Some 1,500 police, both uniformed and plainclothes, were set to start providing security at the Thai capital’s Sanam Luang ceremonial ground from Sunday night as UDD ‘Red Shirts’ from upcountry began congregating at the site.

Ex-premier Thaksin was reportedly to telephone his supporters at 10am.

The petitioners plan to march from Sanam Luang to the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary at the Grand Palace at noon to hand over the petition.

Meanwhile, Acting Police Chief Pol Gen Wichien Pojphosri said that about 1,500 police officers are adequate to maintain order and he was confident that there will be no confrontation between rival groups.

In case of emergency, he said, the police could increased the number of reinforcements to 4,000 within one hour.

A representative of His Majesty’s Deputy Principal Private Secretary will come out to receive the petition at the Wiset Chaisi Gate of the Grand Palace. Only 10 UDD leaders and members will hand over the petition. Police officers will carry the UDD documents into the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary, he said.

No UDD supporters will be allowed to enter into the Grand Palace, Gen Wichien added.

The UDD leader earlier announced that the group have collected nearly six million signatures to seek a royal pardon for Mr Thaksin who is now living in self-imposed exile after being convicted last October to a two-year jail term for abuse of authority regarding an irregular Bangkok land purchase.

At the same time the Supreme Court was scheduled to read the verdict in the rubber-sapling case against 44 defendants including Newin Chidchob, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives.

It was expected that Newin’s supporters or the blue-shirt group will turn up at the Supreme Court’s Political Division for Political Office Holders, which is located near Sanam Luang.

The authorities were on high alert as the two groups were considered rivals and a clash could possibly occur.

Police have deployed officers at the Supreme Court Building and temporary fences were in place to ensure the safety and prevent any clash.

The verdict in the rubber case will be read out at 2pm. (TNA)