Parliament is about to get a steel staircase at the rear of the building, designated as a "permanent emergency exit" as part of a security beef-up ahead of the anti-government rally by the Pitak Siam group at the Royal Plaza next weekend.

The Post Today website reported on Thursday that a temporary emergency exit had already been opened for MPs to duck out of the House if necessary.

But the special staircase will be constructed beside Parliament Building 3 to provide an emergency exit for MPs, senators and staff to the adjacent Vimanmek Palace, one of Bangkok’s popular attractions, the newspaper reported.

The staircase will be divided into two parts: one on the side of the parliament, which will remain in place permanently, and the other on the palace’s side, which can be folded away when not in use.

The new “emergency exit” is likely to replace the old wooden ladders specially built after the Oct 7, 2008 police crackdown on the yellow-shirt street protests against the Somchai Wongsawat government at parliament, according to the website.  

A censure debate is scheduled in the parliament from Nov 25-27, followed by the vote on a no-confidence motion on Nov 28.

Pitak Siam group leader Boonlert Kaewprasit said on Thursday protesters would not besiege the parliament, but security officials are taking no chances.

Gen Boonlert said the rally would not be prolonged. He expected it to last no more than two days and one night - which means it will still be under way when parliament begins the censure debate on Nov 25.

Photos by Post Today