POLITICS
Metal spikes were found strewn across the Bangkok-bound side of a main road in Ayutthaya's Bang Pahan district yesterday, after they punctured the tyres of many vehicles heading for the capital. One of the vehicles which suffered a puncture was a van carrying supporters of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) from nearby provinces.
Police said a large number of nails and small steel spikes were found strewn over the Asia Highway at the kilometre 85 marker in tambon Han Sang in Bang Pahan district.
The tyres of numerous vehicles, including the van carrying PAD supporters, were punctured, causing them to come to a complete stop and leading to heavy traffic congestion in the area.
Apart from those travelling in the van, about 500 yellow-clad PAD supporters from Ang Thong and Kamphaeng Phet provinces were on board four passenger buses and 15 vans heading to Bangkok. They were trying to join PAD demonstrators from other provinces who were laying siege to Government House.
Local police helped direct traffic and moved the vehicles with punctures to the roadside before letting the PAD supporters and other motorists travel further.
Elsewhere along the Asia Highway, police checkpoints were set up in several spots in Ayutthaya province, but angry PAD supporters formed roadblocks, forcing police to let them travel to Bangkok.
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| Two women with a placard saying "The People's Alliance for Democracy from Ang Thong" complain that metal spikes were scattered on a road in Ayutthaya's Bang Pahan district, puncturing the tyres of one of their vans. They were among some 500 PAD supporters from Ang Thong and Kamphaeng Phet province who travelled to Bangkok to join the PAD-led mass rally yesterday. — SUNTHORN PONGPAO |
Pipob Yakhai, 35, the owner of one of the affected cars, said he was travelling from Phitsanulok to a seaside town, not to join the rally. He said the many police checkpoints set up along the road caused traffic problems.
When he reached Bang Pahan district, his car ran over the metal spikes. He said he had no idea who put the spikes on the road, or what their purpose was.
He said pro-government supporters and the PAD may be at odds with each other, but they should not cause problems for innocent people.
Police denied any involvement in scattering the metal spikes.
Pol Col Wutthipong Phetkamnerd, the deputy police chief in Ayutthaya, said the checkpoints were aimed at vehicle crime and were set up as a matter of routine. He denied the checkpoints were meant to prevent PAD supporters from joining the rally in Bangkok.
PAD supporters, including members of labour unions of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, approached Bangkok from other provinces, including Surat Thani and Krabi.
A source said all police stations in Surat Thani are on duty around the clock and have prepared anti-riot gear.
In Chachoengsao, 300 riot police were put on standby. The officers will be brought to Bangkok if needed.
Many police were sent to Rajabhat Ratchanakharind University in Chachoengsao to beef up security for the visit of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
People Power party MP for Phayao Wisut Chainaroon urged residents not to join the rally.
Mr Wisut said it was normal for people to have different political opinions, but he disagreed with using the rally as a political tool.
Yongyuth Saisungneon, a leading member of the PAD in Phayao, said 30 residents left the northern province on Thursday night to join the rally. They were angered by the government's move to block ASTV broadcasts of the anti-government rallies.
Phitsanulok Governor Somboon Sriwattanawat said he knew some local people had joined the rally, but called on residents to not do anything to cause rifts in society.
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