Security beefed up at Thai Gov't House

BANGKOK, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Security has been tightened at the Government House in capital Bangkok as the Internal Security Act's (ISA) enforcement has taken effect from Thursday.

Nattawut Saikua (C, front), spokesman for the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), talks about the preparation of this weekend's rally during a press conference in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, March 11, 2010. The Internal Security Act has been put into effect from Thursday to March 23 to ensure peace and order during a mass anti-government rally by the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship on this weekend. (Xinhua/Thana Nuntavoranut)

Some 300 soldiers have been deployed to ensure security inside the Government House, Thai News Agency reported.

Also, a joint force of army and policemen has also been deployed to guard all of the entrances of the Government House.

In a related development, Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva has affirmed of working at the Government House as normal on March 12, the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) under the state-owned Public Relations Department, reported.

And, during March 13-14 Premier Abhisit will be at the peace- keeping operations command to monitor the situation.  

Meanwhile, the premier has also expressed his concerns over the traffic situation during March 12-14 and the safety at particular sites.

However, Abhisit said security personnel and fire trucks would be available to deal with any incidents, while he has urged people not to enter the critical areas.

The peace-keeping operations command is established at the 11th Infantry Regiment in capital Bangkok to control the anti- government rally.

The operation of the peace-keeping operations command in the 11th Infantry Regiment locating at Bangkhen will start from Friday.

Thailand's weekly cabinet Tuesday decided to impose the ISA law during March 11-23 to ensure law and order in the rally by the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) group and from late Wednesday night security men have been deployed to ensure security.

The ISA imposition has taken effect in the whole area of capital Bangkok and Nonthaburi, which is next to Bangkok.

Also, the ISA law is implemented in some 21 districts of six other provinces nearby Bangkok, including Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Pathom, and Ayutthaya.

Totally, under the ISA law's enforcement there are 50,000 security men, who will maintain security during the mass rally.