BANGKOK, Feb 18 (TNA) – The national police chief said he put 69 companies of riot police on standby to cope with anti-government rallies on Feb 19-20 and they were prepared for violent incidents.
Pol Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk, commissioner of the Royal Thai Police Office, said the 69 companies of riot police would not be deployed at once but were prepared in case that rallies would be prolonged or situations would change.
The preparation responded to rally leaders’ announcement to organize a demonstration at the parliament on Feb 19 and another on the following day.
The police chief said that police changed their strategies after many policemen were injured in a clash with protesters on Feb 13.
Many police had been hit with hard objects, suffered hearing impairment and been injured by shrapnel from big firecrackers and the police expected more provocations. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was concerned and ordered police to fully enforce laws, Pol Gen Suwat said. (TNA)
