Protest leaders usher in security pros for demos

Protest leaders usher in security pros for demos

Organisers of the recent anti-government rallies have decided to stop using volunteer security guards and will replace them with trained professionals, protest co-leader Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak posted on his Facebook page on Friday.

One of the main units performing this duty has been the We Volunteer, aka Wevo, group, whose members have always been on the frontlines at protests and were among those seen removing wire barricades at a recent event.

Others tasked with ensuring safety for attendees were ordinary people and students.

Security guards from the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship have also worked voluntarily at some events.

The Thammasat University student activist said that the decision to bring in professionals had been made to better protect protesters from the authorities as security guards were their "main weapon" in their political campaign.

Mr Parit said, however, that volunteers could still be called on again in the future for help.

Deputy Bangkok police chief Pol Maj Gen Piya Tawichai said on Friday that officers were gathering evidence to take legal action against the Wevo security guards who attempted to remove barbed wire barriers at Thewes junction on Thursday.

The security guards' attempt to break through the barricades resulted in minor injuries to four officers. Their offences include illegal assembly and instigating disorder, said Pol Maj Gen Piya.

Police were also looking into whether a smoke grenade thrown by one of the security guards could be classified as an explosive, according to the deputy city police chief.

The organisers of a rally at the Oct 14 Memorial would also face charges for failing to control demonstrators who spilled out onto Ratchadamnoen Avenue, said Pol Maj Gen Piya.

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