Govt ready for UDD´s major rally on 27 June

BANGKOK, 25 June 2009 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister for security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban vows to intensively enforce laws to control a major rally by the anti-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) on 27 June.

The Deputy Prime Minister said he and the commander of the 1st Army Area Command had made preparations for the mass rally by the UDD scheduled for this Saturday where the group allegedly planned to use its “Taksin 2” plan.

Deputy PM Suthep Tuagsuban said he had seen the UDD’s Taksin 2 plan and assured that authorities will utilize the same tactics used during the group’s protests in April this year. He remarked that the Government was not concerned over the UDD’s movements but will remain on alert. Mr Suthep said he will personally be following internal security reports throughout the duration of the major gathering on this Saturday. The Deputy PM also asked that all groups seek to resolve problems rather than create new ones.

Meanwhile, 1st Army Area Commander Lieutenant General Kanit Sapitak stated that he had not yet seen the Taksin 2 plan and thus refrained from giving any analysis. He said the UDD’s recent announcements did not make him believe that its rally on 27 June would grow violent. The Commander added that police had requested military assistance for the upcoming protest.

Reports have surfaced hinting that the Taksin 2 plan will include forceful measures that will seek to create conflicts for the government. Both the Deputy PM and the 1 st Army Area Commander expressed little concern over the speculation and assured that authorities were fully ready for the gathering.