The police force is increasing its number of crowd control units because more demonstrations, possibly of longer duration, are expected, a police spokesman said yesterday.
Pol Lt Gen Archayon Kraithong said there has been a shortage of police at local stations because officers had been reassigned to control large and frequent rallies in recent years. Recruiting to expand crowd control units would help overcome this.
"Under present circumstances, freedom of expression and demonstrations are tending to grow, and rallies may be prolonged. This could cause personnel shortages at police stations and affect services provided by patrol police, detectives and traffic police," the spokesman said.
The expansion of crowd control police was planned nationwide, Pol Lt Gen Archayon said, adding that when crowd control operations are not needed, the extra personnel can be assigned to assist as required at local police stations.