Protecting the government and palace

The Abhisit Vejjajiva government seems to have been searching for “incidents” that allow it to increase the role of the military in security before the upcoming Thaksin Shinawatra assets case. They have been trumpeting their claim that there will be violence for a considerable time (see Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya’s statements to diplomats) and have had a string of minor or possibly even manufactured events, including claims of cars getting “too close” to the prime minister’s motorcade. Try driving near Abhisit’s house from Sukhumvit, and all vehicles are “too close.”

Now with the grenade explosion for which the damage is seen (unlike the claimed attack on army HQ) and a bomb found somewhere close to the Supreme Court – reports differ – they seem to have found what they needed and, according to the Bangkok Post (16 February 2010) the military has been deployed in Bangkok. It is reported that “[l]ast night, police and soldiers established checkpoints and organised patrols in inner Bangkok.” Even with light Chinese New Year traffic, in parts of Bangkok the traffic came to a standstill last night.

In addition, the Post states that “[s]cores of checkpoints were set up in sensitive parts of the city last night and special police patrols were launched after the country’s top security officials met urgently yesterday to review the weekend’s incidents.” In the provinces, “security authorities were ordered to step up measures to maintain law and order as more rallies to support ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra were expected.”

The government claims that “intelligence reports from security agencies continued to play up fears of unrest at strategic places.” These reports were mentioned previously when the Internal Security Act was invoked. Each time they were inaccurate.

Prime Minister Abhisit seemed somewhat agitated when he made the claim that “many important locations could be attacked ahead of the day of the verdict.” Where? Apparently soldiers have been deployed “at checkpoints to guard some locations in the inner city including the home of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda, Government House, the parliament, the courtyard of Wat Benchamabophit at the Marble Temple, Chitralada Palace, the Supreme Court and the Foreign Ministry…”.

While earlier the government made it clear that it wanted to prevent protesters getting to Bangkok, now they claim, disingenuously, that: “The mobilisation of authorities to operate checkpoints is not meant to prevent rallies but is aimed at preventing ill-intentioned people from creating unrest…”.

The red shirt leadership has claimed they will not officially rally on the day of the Thaksin asset case decision.

PPT continues to view the situation as a political tinderbox, with considerable provocations and several parties and groups in the mix and their intentions remain opaque. Misinformation is being fired in all directions. It is a very worrying situation that could easily deteriorate.

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