More than 6,000 soldiers and police will again be deployed at five possible Bangkok protest sites on Sunday to prevent anti-coup demonstrators from gathering, despite low turnout last week and the arrest of a key organiser.
National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) deputy spokesman Winthai Suvaree said on Saturday that there could be serious consequences for anyone gathering to protest against the coup or failing to cooperate with authorities.
According to postings on social media, rallies will occur on Sunday with activists expected to demand the armed forces go back to their barracks and return power to civilians.
Bangkok has faced protests for two consecutive Sundays - at Ratchaprasong intersection on May 22 and at Asok intersection last Sunday. But only 100 people came out to signal opposition to the coup last week, showing the three-fingered salute outside Terminal 21 shopping centre, while around 6,000 soldiers and police were sent to eight locations to prevent trouble.
Previous rallies were held at the request of anti-coup campaigner Sombat Boonngamanong, who was arrested in the Phan Thong district of Chon Buri on Thursday night. A pre-recorded message from Mr Sombat was posted on YouTube urging people to continue demonstrations to oppose the coup without him shortly after his capture. The venues of today’s demonstrations have yet to be disclosed. Possible sites include Siam Paragon, McDonald’s Ratchaprasong branch, Suvarnabhumi airport, Victory Monument and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
The junta has banned gatherings of more than five people in public places. “Any move against NCPO orders is illegal,” Col Winthai said.
Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy chief Pol Gen Somyos Phumpanmaung said authorities will deploy 15 companies of police and 27 companies of soldiers, totalling around 6,300 officers, to stake out the possible venues and block protesters from gathering. There will be no road blockades, he said.
According to a source at an NCPO meeting Saturday, officials have blocked 553 websites and closed 40 community radio stations since May 22.
The meeting on the state of the country since the coup found momentum against the takeover is subsiding, with little opposition to national reconciliation attempts, the source said.