3,000 officers, metal detectors to secure New Year's Countdown
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3,000 officers, metal detectors to secure New Year's Countdown

Security authorities patrol Bangkok's Ratchaprasong intersection and adjacent areas to ensure a trouble-free New Year's Countdown there. (Photo by Panupong Changchai)
Security authorities patrol Bangkok's Ratchaprasong intersection and adjacent areas to ensure a trouble-free New Year's Countdown there. (Photo by Panupong Changchai)

About 3,000 soldiers and police have been deployed to Bangkok's Ratchaprasong area where walk-through metal detectors also were installed to secure the New Year's Countdown site tonight.

Maj Gen Chaloempol Srisawat, commander of the 2nd Cavalry Division, said on Thursday that the military and police officers were briefed and prepared to provide security at the event, the capital's main New Year's Eve celebration.

Police will take the lead in security operations, he said. They will close roads leading to the Ratchaprasong intersection, facilitate traffic flow in surrounding areas and screen visitors with metal detectors.

Security officers also will patrol event areas and rapid-response teams were put on standby to check suspicious activity or objects. Therefore, there was confidence in security, he said.

First-aid teams also have been prepared, public toilets provided and mass-transit train services extended through 2am.

Maj Gen Chaloempol advised visitors to arrive on public transport, saying that motorists would be strictly checked for alcohol.

Intelligence authorities have not discovered or received any information about planned violent activity over New Year's, he said.

Meanwhile, security officials in the southern border provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla and Yala also stepped up precautions and checked motorists entering urban areas there to ensure safety.

Tight security was ordered especially in Muang and Rueso districts of Narathiwat; Kapho, Nong Chik, Sai Buri and Yaring districts of Pattani; Thepha and Hat Yai districts of Songkhla province; and Muang district of Yala province.

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