PM given commando escort to Buri Ram

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PM given commando escort to Buri Ram

Published: 11/07/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

The Arintharat commando unit will escort Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva during his visit to Buri Ram today amid fears of a clash between pro- and anti-government groups.

LamPlai Mat police check no-entry traffic signs which have been produced in largenumbersforuse in preventing protests duringavisitbyPrime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva today to Buri Ram’sLamPlai Mat and Khan Dong districts. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversees national security, said the commando unit will accompany Mr Abhisit throughout his visit which will be under heavy security.

Mr Suthep has reportedly ordered the highest level of protection for the prime minister.

Mr Abhisit is expected to be greeted by both supporters and opponents in the northeastern province today.

The prime minister is scheduled to tour two schools and have lunch at the house of Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum in Lam Plai Mat district. In the afternoon, he will preside over the opening ceremony for the Lam Takong reservoir in Khan Dong district.

Officials will collect complaints from people instead of letting them give their letters to Mr Abhisit themselves.

About 3,000 police and soldiers will be deployed to provide a security cordon and keep opponents and supporters of the government apart.

Anti-government groups are reported to have entered Buri Ram since yesterday and have erected a makeshift stage at Tung Laem in Nang Rong district. They plan to demand an immediate House dissolution.

Their move, however, was opposed by grassroots leaders who will receive Mr Abhisit today, said a source.

They said the red shirts should keep away from the prime minister and stop fuelling conflict.

United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core leader Nattawut Saikua denied the group's supporters were stirring up trouble in Buri Ram.

Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul, who will be accompanying Mr Abhisit, played down concerns over the red shirt gathering.

Security has been beefed up to prevent a repeat of the incident at the Interior Ministry in April when red shirts attacked Mr Abhisit's motorcade.

Mr Sohpon said any violence would ruin the province's reputation.

The prime minister's personal spokesman Thepthai Senpong said the red shirts' resistance to the government served the interests of Thaksin Shinawatra. The former prime minister is believed to be the UDD's major backer.

Many MPs from the opposition Puea Thai Party, which is connected to Thaksin, are preparing to hold merit-making activities in 61 temples nationwide to mark his 60th birthday.

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Ampawa

Discussion 21 : 12/07/2009 at 01:18 AM21
Anyway, you should love Thailand more.Whatever the shirt are you and whatever you guys discussed but please come up with Thailand.Don't separate Thais by Thais because I love Thailand, the land that I belong to.
johnny

Discussion 20 : 12/07/2009 at 12:22 AM20
The depolyment of 3000 commando is to prevent the yellow shirt from harming the youngest PM in Thailand.
kuff

Discussion 19 : 11/07/2009 at 11:37 PM19
There really is no need to make anything special out of this. Every PM or President of any country always has heavy security-it is there to protect the head of state. I am surprised why it took so long for Thai PM to have the same
Gatto Negro

Discussion 18 : 11/07/2009 at 11:02 PM18
Seems quite a few people here would like the legitimate leader of the country be left exposed to the disgruntled red-shirted lynch mob. It is they who are responsible for the PM needing such heavy protection.

If Thaksin were still around, he probably would have arranged for the leaders of his opposition to disappear or to die during "extra-judicial" killings. Abbhisit is using minimal measures to stay alive and to be able do his job.
Bubba

Discussion 17 : 11/07/2009 at 11:02 PM17
KhunAndre: your mother should slap you for your immature remark and sounding more like a little kid from the Hitler Youth movement than a rational person.

But in answer to what you say....if they were savages...why would the PM visit them...?
boon

Discussion 16 : 11/07/2009 at 10:35 PM16
The illegal PM is afraid that he is arrested. The UDD or PTP has no reason to harm him and they know the consequence if they do. It is the disgruntled PAD who are good at violent as we have seen before will harm him. The PAD is now dumped by the invisible hand now that the darling party has finally grabbed power to protect their interest. The unnecessary heavy mobilization of security is going to cost the tax payers and it is also tempting for the people to attempt breaking such security - I am referring to Phuket. Nothing to lose but lots to gain - think about it. Any attempt will be considered a victory even if it fails. The world leaders will have 2nd thought on Thailand in future present illegal government.
demo

Discussion 15 : 11/07/2009 at 08:22 PM15
By deployed over 4,800 polices and arm force meaning pm give a warning to the citizen of Thailand that he is here to controled and to do whatever he want. And all citizen of Thailand can't do anything e.g. poor or rich..meaning all military, and polices are behind him 100%. Rather threaten the citizen of Thailand if they are outline. I don't think this is democracy. Just wait and see what Thailand will be like....!
john

Discussion 14 : 11/07/2009 at 08:17 PM14
excuse
there is 4800 not 3000
is any where in the world the pm escort 4800 loaded trops ,sound like he is scar or he is pm only in bkk not in isan ?
thai need to change pm should not hired the pplz to write a comments in bkk post
he is on war
Sammy Jr.

Discussion 13 : 11/07/2009 at 04:43 PM13
Thailand had gone through hell before it got Abhisit as prime minister:the PAD's closing down streets, 2 airport closures and 4 political larties being dissolved. SO Abhisit deserved the best protestion. I want him to stay at least 2 terms.
bill

Discussion 12 : 11/07/2009 at 04:37 PM12
I used to have some sympathy with the red shirts and their cause. That has now gone. They are a group of disruptive yobs who's only object is to cause chaos wherever they go. Thet are ruining their own country and beginning to make Thailand the laughing stock of the world. I just wonder if any of them have any grey matter between the ears. Go back to the villages to care for your wives and children. Give this government a chance. Are you so stupid as not to realize the amount of money you are costing this country. It's such a shame that so many police are taken from other cities to ensure the safety of the prime minister. They would be better employed looking after the decent people who you leave behind in your villages. Thailand is a beautiful country STOP trying to make it UGLY

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PM given commando escort to Buri Ram