Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
National
POST REPORTERS

Thousands of cops on standby

A group of anti-government demonstrators clash with riot police near parliament building who prevented them from reaching the building last November. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)

More than 12,000 crowd control officers will be deployed to handle anti-government demonstrations planned in Bangkok this weekend.

A Facebook page named "Mob Fest" on Thursday also posted a message urging supporters to rally outside parliament at 5pm on Friday.

"We will watch a live broadcast of the no-confidence debate on a big screen," the page said. "We will yell at the government and debate on 10 urgent issues proposed by the people. Over the past seven years since Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha seized power, he has taken the people on a roller-coaster ride with a host of promises and it has all come crashing down."

Parliament will vote on the opposition's no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Prayut and nine of his cabinet ministers on Saturday.

The Facebook page of the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration, which is part of the anti-government Ratsadorn (People's) Movement, announced on Thursday the group would hold a rally on Saturday, with the time and location to be announced on Friday.

"There are two days to go before the deadline. People who champion democracy are requested to prepare for it," the group said.

Arnon Nampa, a co-leader of the Ratsadorn Group, took to Facebook to urge demonstrators to avoid using violence when confronting authorities. He is being detained at Bangkok Remand Prison on a range of charges, including lese majeste.


Police said on Thursday that 12 companies of 1,800 crowd control officers would be sent to handle protesters over the weekend.

Police expect the protesters to gather at Democracy Monument and outside parliament.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.