The army is stepping up efforts to crack down on anti-coup armed groups and dissenters.
Thirachai:Troops should avoid force
In Chiang Mai, a combined force of soldiers and police yesterday raided Waroros Grand Palace Hotel in Muang district where a community radio station operated by a red-shirt group called Rak Chiang Mai 51 is based.
Authorities confiscated documents and equipment used in rallies, five computer notebooks, seven bullets, a bullet-proof vest and some firecrackers.
Officials previously raided the station last Friday, seizing a safe and a pistol.
The radio station was shut down after the coup and Phetchawat Wattanapongsirikul, a core member of Rak Chiang Mai 51, was among those summoned to report to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) in Bangkok.
In Lampang, police and soldiers raided a longan orchard in Muang district after receiving a tip-off that it was used as a venue to train red shirt guards in using weapons.
Authorities detained a man identified as Phairat Sigkham for questioning.
Police seized three motorcycles, four guns, a number of bullets, eight bullet-proof vests, T-shirts bearing the logo of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, and some documents, among other items.
Meanwhile, 1st Region Army commander Thirachai Nakwanich yesterday met military unit commanders, police and officers from the Internal Security Operations Command to set out security operation measures.
The meeting came as Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha laid out his policies after receiving the royal command formally appointing him head of the junta, the NCPO.
Lt Gen Thirachai has been appointed by the NCPO to be commander of the Peace Maintaining Force (PMF), which controls the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Region Armies, the Special Warfare Command and the Army Air Defence Command.
Lt Gen Thirachai said the PMF is duty-bound to restore peace and order as quickly as possible so the NCPO can run the country smoothly.
He emphasised the importance of arresting those who defied the NCPO’s order to report themselves to the military.
The military would also target anti-coup protest leaders who were instigating unrest nationwide, crack down on armed groups and search places where war weapons and ammunition may be hidden.
He also stressed the need for authorities to avoid using force, and try to negotiate with anti-coup protesters, saying police will deal with demonstrators in the first instance.
He said the PMF will ensure the media is not exploited to cause divisions and insult the royal institution.
The PMF also will try to reach out to people in villages to convey the coup-makers’ policies and intentions.
Lt Gen Thirachai said police will play a leading role in this mission because they are close to local people and know who are the “good guys” and “bad guys” in communities.
Lt Gen Thirachai asked senior police figures to warn their subordinates not to support protesters or others who try to obstruct security operations.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International’s Thailand chapter has called on the NCPO to make public the lists of all people who are being summoned nationwide, and reveal where they are being held.
“The NCPO should stop arresting people who decently and innocently organise peaceful anti-coup activities.
“If arrested, they should be charged with a criminal offence, or they should be freed,” Amnesty International Thailand said.
Those detained by the authorities should also be given access to lawyers and family contacts, it said.
More than 250 people including students and villagers have been summoned nationwide.