Tight security for Thailand New Year celebrations

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Tight security for Thailand New Year celebrations 
Bangkok Post: 29 Dec 2009
Tight security during NY holiday

* Published: 29/12/2009 at 10:47 AM
* Online news: Breakingnews

Although security units do not expect violence during the New Year holiday, stringent security mesures will still be implemented to ensure peace and order, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban said on Tuesday.

“Check-points will be set up in various risk areas of Bangkok and its vicinity, especially on the night of Dec 31, the last day of this year,” Mr Suthep said.

This might cause some people some inconvenience, but it was necessary for the safety of people celebrating the New Year festival.

Mr Suthep was confident that leaders of the United front of Democracy against Dictatorship would not incite any unrest during the festive season because they did not want to lose public support.

Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda said military police will work with police in setting up checkpoints at key government offices and areas where large crowds were expected to gather.

A special unit of 450 soldiers would be on standby and able to reach the scene of any incident within one hour, he said.

www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/163890/tightened-security-during-new-year-holidays
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NEW YEAR
High security for Bangkok

About 5,000 security forces will be deployed in Bangkok during the New Year holidays.

The decision follows yesterday's meeting of security authorities chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of national security.

Authorities say there would be no repeat of the New Year's Eve bomb attacks in Bangkok in 2006 when eight bombs exploded in the capital and another one in neighbouring Nonthaburi, killing three people and injuring 42.

Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said after the meeting yesterday there had been no intelligence reports of plots to create violence or chaos in Bangkok during the New Year holidays.

Still, authorities were prepared to execute the "Thanva 52" security plan from Dec 31 to Jan 3 should there be any bomb attack or street violence, he said.

The plan involves 2,000 police officers on patrol and a back-up force of another 2,600 officers.

Three companies of riot-control soldiers will be on stand-by.

Also, about 150 military police will join forces with the police to keep law and order on Dec 31.

Security dogs and bomb disposal experts will be on stand-by ready for immediate action.

www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/30164/high-security-for-bangkok