Ensuring public safety and monitoring traffic will be the priorities for police at pro- and anti-government activities this Sunday.
Deputy national police chief Wirachai Songmetta, who chaired a meeting in preparation to handle the activities yesterday, told officers to strictly enforce legal measures, a source said.
Pol Lt Gen Sakda Chuenpakdi, assistant national police chief, told the officers to prevent confrontations or quarrels between people with opposing political opinions.
Both on Jan 12, Wing Lai Lung or "Run to Oust Uncle", a reference to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, has been organised by anti-military student activists. The rival Dern Cheer Lung, has been organised by supporters of the prime minister.
The organisers have sought police permission to hold the events -- the run against the prime minister will be held at Suan Rot Fai, or Vachirabenjatas Park, on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road from 4.30am to 9am while the rival event, a walk held to support him, will take place at Lumpini Park on Rama IV Road from 6.30am.
Tanawat Wongchai, an organiser of the anti-regime activity yesterday went to the Royal Thai Army headquarters to invite army chief Apirat Kongsompong to join in the event. There was no word on what kind of reception he received.
He earlier went to invite PM Prayut in the same manner.
In Nakhon Ratchasima, Krittipong Pansungnoen, an organiser of Wing Lai Lung Korat in the province said about 600 people have registered to join the event.
Meanwhile, an administrator of CheerLung Facebook page, known as Admin Jane, and singer Haruthai Muangboonsri, jointly held a press conference saying they were not part of the government's information operation but sincerely support the prime minister.
They had to speak out because they cannot let only those who hate the prime minister and those who "hate the nation" speak and give one-sided information, they said.
In a separate development, Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit wrote on Facebook that he would report to Pathumwan police station tomorrow at 10am as summonsed to hear charges against him in connection with a "flash mob" incident on Dec 14 which some critics say was illegal.