City police are gearing up for a political rally tomorrow, after the anti-government Free Youth group announced plans to march to the Grand Palace.
Pol Maj Gen Piya Tawichai, Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) deputy commissioner, said police will be mobilised to keep the peace and safeguard important venues.
He said police will enforce the law, but will avoid violent confrontations with demonstrators to ensure the situation does not get out of hand. All offenders will face legal action after the protest, he added.
The MPB deputy chief also reiterated that Bangkok is one of 29 provinces under strict lockdown measures and any rally would be in violation of the emergency decree and an announcement banning gatherings that risk spreading Covid-19.
The ban was issued under Section 9 of the emergency decree and was published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday and signed by Gen Chalermpol Srisawat in his capacity as the person responsible for solving emergencies related to security.
According to Pol Maj Gen Piya, in addition to the Free Youth group, the Archeewa Pithak Prachachon Pua Prachathipatai (Vocational Students for Democracy) will gather at Phan Fa Lilat Bridge and may move to Government House. The Free Youth group will hold a rally at the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue before they march to the Grand Palace tomorrow. Police have asked the court to revoke bail for at least five protesters who failed to honour their bail conditions.