Protest leaders turn to 'professional' security guards
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Protest leaders turn to 'professional' security guards

Security volunteers active during a clash with riot police, who prevented the protesters    reaching the parliament complex, on Nov 17. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
Security volunteers active during a clash with riot police, who prevented the protesters reaching the parliament complex, on Nov 17. (Photo: Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)

Organisers of anti-government rallies have decided to stop using volunteer security guards, and will replace them with trained professionals.

Protest leader Parit "Penguin" Chiwarak posted on his Facebook on Friday that the People's Movement had disbanded its security volunteers unit.

They would seek teams of professionally trained people to take over the task of ensuring the  demonstrators' safety. He did not say where they would be drawn from.

To date, the rallies have relied on volunteers.

One of the main units performing this duty has been the We Volunteer group, whose members have always been on the frontline at protests. They have removed wire barricades. 

Others 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 the decision had been made to bring in  professionals, to better protect protesters from the authorities. The security guards were the  "main weapon" in their political campaigns, he said.

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


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