Junta Amasses 6,000-Strong Security Force to Smother Bangkok Coup Protests

 

BANGKOK – Thailand’s junta has prepared a force of over 6,000 troops and police for deployment in Bangkok on Sunday to smother protests and prevent opposition to the May 22 coup from gaining momentum.

The military has cracked down hard on pro-democracy dissidents and supporters since it ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra last month, seeking to mute criticism and nip protests in the bud.

A heavy security force presence at potential flashpoints in Thailand’s largest cities since the coup has limited protesters to small gatherings, which are often coordinated through social media and mostly located around shopping malls.

Authorities were focusing on five possible protest sites in Bangkok on Sunday, said deputy police chief Somyot Poompanmoung.

They included the country’s main international airport and the downtown area around the Grand Palace, as well as sites where protests have previously taken place, he said. The palace is one of Bangkok’s top tourist attractions.

“We hope the protests would not ignite any violence and would end peacefully,” Somyot said.

Army chief and coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha had instructed security forces to avoid confrontation, Somyot said. Police would photograph protesters, identify them and issue arrest warrants later, he said.

The force on Sunday numbered 27 army companies and 15 police companies, Somyot said. A similar number of troops and soldiers were deployed a week ago.

The military has moved swiftly to revive the economy, and has given itself two months to clear a backlog of applications from local and foreign investors to spend more than US$21 billion on projects in Thailand.

The backlog arose because Yingluck’s caretaker government lacked the power to appoint a new team to run the Board of Investment to replace executives whose term ended in October.

Prayuth on Saturday declared himself the head of the body considering the investment applications, a position typically held by the prime minister.

Quick approval would bring longer-term stimulus to the economy and follow the payment of billions of dollars in subsidy arrears to rice farmers that has already lifted consumer sentiment.

The military’s move to pay debts to farmers quickly after seizing power on May 22 contributed to the first rise in consumer sentiment in 14 months in May. Political turmoil had sunk consumers confidence to a 12-month low in April.