Bangkok police have advised drivers to avoid 14 routes during planned rallies by three groups of anti-government protesters on Saturday afternoon to demand the prime minister’s resignation.
Senior officers also warned demonstrators they would face a number of charges under various laws, including the emergency decree that remains in place to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
A group led by Sombat Boonngam-anong, a red shirt and activist, plans to stage a “car mob” similar to one held last week, while two other groups will march on foot: Prachachon Khon Thai led by Nititorn Lamlua, former co-leader of the now-defunct People’s Democratic Reform Committee or yellow shirts, and the Thai Mai Thon group led by activist Adul Khiewboriboon.
Prachachon Khon Thai is urging people to gather at the U-rupong intersection on Saturday before marching to Government House. Thai Mai Thon will assemble at the Saphan Phan Fa intersection and march to Government House. The car mob will start from Democracy Monument, with participating drivers encouraged to honk their horns as they drive to Government House.
Last Saturday, the same three groups took to Bangkok streets to demand that Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha resign. About 200 vehicles joined the car mob with motorists turning on emergency lights, honking horns and making three-fingered salutes.
Pol Maj Gen Piya Tawichai, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB), said the groups would face charges of breaching the emergency decree, the Disease Control Act, the cleanliness law, the land traffic law and the advertising control law.
At a news conference on Friday he warned demonstrators to be socially responsible and to refrain from joining the rallies, as they would be at risk of contracting the coronavirus, which is spreading rapidly in the capital region.
The rallies, he said, might worsen the Covid-19 outbreak, which has prompted authorities to declare a curfew and apply other lockdown measures starting from Monday.
“MPB investigators have gathered evidence against more than 70 people for alleged offences during the July 2-4 rallies,” said Pol Maj Gen Piya. “The officers have verified 59 of them and 47 vehicles involved. Investigators will take action against all offenders.
“The bureau has already held a meeting to prepare for performing their duties in responding to the government’s lockdown order,” he added.
Pol Maj Gen Jirasan Kaewsaeng-ek, another deputy MPB commissioner, said motorists should avoid the rally routes on Saturday, starting from 1pm. The roads that will be affected are Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue, Lan Luang, Rama VI, Kamphaeng Phet, Phahon Yothin, Ratchadaphisek, Asok Montri, Sukhumvit and Ploenchit.
From 11am onward, he said, motorists should avoid Lan Luang, Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok, Rama V, and Nakhon Pathom roads and areas near Government House.