18,000 security personnel for ASEAN

[Faustian]

Looks as though this one is going to be done right...that's a lot of security!

 

http://www.pattayadailynews.com/shownews.php?IDNEWS=0000010634

 

THAILAND TO DEPLOY 18,000 SECURITY PERSONNEL AT ASEAN SUMMIT

 

BANGKOK, Oct 9 (TNA) - Thailand‘s Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) on Friday approved a security plan for the upcoming summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with 18,000 personnel to be deployed to maintain order at and around the summit venues in the Thai seaside resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin.

 

The government earlier resolved to invoke the Internal Security Act (ISA) to maintain law and order between October 12 and 27 in five sub-districts of Phetchaburi's Cha-am district and four sub-districts of Prachuab Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district.

 

Dr Panitan Wattanayakorn, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister, said that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva chaired the ISOC meeting which was attended by Defence Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, Supreme Commander Gen. Songkitti Jakkabatra, three armed forces commanders-in chief and acting national police chief Pol. Gen. Pratheep Tanprasert.

 

Dr Panitan, who is also acting government spokesman, said the meeting approved the "Cha-am-Hua Hin 521" operational plan and the establishment of a joint security operations centre for the 15th ASEAN Summit under the supervision by Defence Minister.

 

The deputy secretary-general added that combined forces of 18,298 security personnel, including 4,000 police and 5,000 military, will be deployed to maintain order during the ASEAN Summit and related meetings.

 

"The ISOC meeting has evaluated that there will likely be movement from three groups; political activists in Phetchaburi and Prachuab Khiri Khan provinces, environmental activists and academic groups as well as some groups from other provinces, " said Dr Panitan.

 

We have already coodinated with them to gather in specific areas designated for demonstration, said Dr Panitan.

 

The acting government spokesman however affirmed that intelligence agencies have so far not found any suspicious movements linked to international terrorist groups, but it would continue keeping a close watch saying that the Royal Thai Navy will also monitor the sea area of 12 nautical miles adjacent to the three nautical miles (5.6 kilometre) zone declared off-limits, while security personnel will monitor important spots in the Thai capital.

 

"The prime minister reiterated that the upcoming summit will prove to other nations that situation in Thailand has returned to normal and the country can organise international meetings after its reputation was tarnished when anti-government protesters stormed into the ASEAN Summit venues in Pattaya forcing the cancellation of the meeting," said Dr Panitan. (TNA)