Thai gov't on alert ahead of IPU meeting

BANGKOK, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Thai authorities has been on alert and prepared tight security measures for the 122 Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly and Related Meetings this weekend.

Panitan Wattanayagorn, acting government spokesman, told a press briefing following a security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday night.

He said the meeting discussed security arrangements for the IPU between March 27 and April 1 at the Centara Grand, in Bangkok, when over 1,200 delegates from 124 countries are due to attend.

The police authorities are already working closely with National Assembly of Thailand, the host of the meeting, to ensure that there is adequate security and traffic facilitation in place for the venue of the meeting, the delegates, and their places of accommodation.

In view of the ongoing demonstrations led by the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the police are also instructed to coordinate with the UDD leaders to ensure that there is no misunderstanding and that the IPU meeting can proceed smoothly.

The spokesman expressed confidence that the Thai people, whatever their political differences, will display their traditional hospitality in welcoming the international delegates to the IPU meeting.

"The government is determined to avoid any undue activity to disrupt such important international gathering, since it would negatively impact the image of Thailand and the Thai people as a whole," he said.

He added that the police authorities also reported to the meeting the enhanced security measures which have been put in place following several incidents in Bangkok over the last few days.

Another 13 checkpoints jointly manned by both police and military personnel have been set up in Bangkok and surrounding areas.

As for the police investigation into earlier incidents, there has been good progress and warrants have been issued for the questioning of suspects.

Panitan categorically denied that the government was behind the incidents, since it was the duty of the government to provide security, not undermine it, and the government will not gain anything from creating such incidents.

As for the planned large-scale demonstration by the UDD on Saturday, it is expected that most people, who will join this activity, will be from Bangkok and surrounding provinces.

As usual, the government and the authorities will coordinate with the UDD leadership about security and traffic facilitation.