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September 17, 2010
The Nation
A group of men, reportedly living in a condominium near the prime minister's home, are being watched closely, deputy secretarygeneral to the PM Panitan Wattanayagorn said yesterday. Meanwhile, Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban, suggested that these men might be linked to the "men in black" behind the April 10 clashes.
Police are also keeping a close eye on a weapons expert from Cambodia, who might instigate violence during the redshirt rally on Sunday.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Santhan Chayanont had previously claimed that a group of "men in black", trained for combat in Cambodia, were staking out Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's residence from a condominium nearby. This has prompted the beefing up of security for the PM as well as 50 VIPs, as police monitor people coming in and out of highrises, he said.
While telling the public not to panic, Panitan said yesterday that the police had been watching the PM's house for a few months now and noticed dubious men taking turns entering a condominium nearby. However, the police have not taken any action because the men had not done anything wrong so far. Also, they have not checked the condominium because it is private property, he said.
Admitting that reports claim this group was comprised of "experts" reportedly preparing for something, he said whether or not they are successful would depend wholly on security measures taken. However, he wouldn't say if there were any plans to relocate Abhisit.
Meanwhile, Abhisit said yesterday that he was being careful but added he was not that worried about being "watched" by the so-called "men in black". He said such reports came up occasionally, but the police provided him with good security.
In related news, Suthep told the press yesterday that Bangkok police was ready for the red shirt rally from Friday to Sunday, adding protesters were not allowed to block roads or use amplifiers.
Asked whether VIPs, including Abhisit and Suthep himself, should be moving to safe houses amid rumours of assassination plans, the deputy PM said there was no need.
As for the "men in black", he said, they first emerged on the night of April 10 and became known as an armed group that killed the general public and officials. He said that though the media called this group that allegedly carried out terrorist attacks and plotted assassinations the "men in black", nobody knew what colour they were wearing this time.
He added that following claims of there being plots to assassinate the PM, he had told security officials to check the neighbourhood for spots where the attacks might be launched. However, he said the officials must have moved so loudly that the suspects have already fled.
Meanwhile, former deputy permanent secretary for Defence, Admiral Bannawit Kengrien said he too had heard about the so-called assassination plot and that a large number of Cambodian warriors of Vietnamese descent, who had undergone military training and were great snipers, had been brought in to do the job.
He said this was in line with news about the chaos that is expected to bubble up by the end of this month. However, Bannawit said he didn't think this rumour had anything to do with the socalled "men in black" renting a condominium near Abhisit's home because these imported warriors keep moving around to avoid detection.
"Although I often criticise this government, I must warn the premier about the reports of an assassination plot against him. If he were harmed, the country's image would be ruined," he said.
Bannawit also said he did not know if former premier Thaksin Shinawatra was linked to this plot and that it was the government's job to investigate.
Meanwhile, emergency police chief Pol Maj General Thanapol Sonthes said reports about "men in black" plotting the assassination of VIPs had been filed since April, when the red shirts were rallying at the Rajprasong intersection. He added that all VIPs, especially the premier, were being provided with maximum security. He said a "trainer" from Cambodia was keeping a low profile in Thailand but the police knew his name and whereabouts, and were keeping an eye on him.
A team of 450 police officers had been given the job of guarding the upcoming rally, and initial investigation has not revealed any signs of the protest being prolonged or becoming violent, Metropolitan Police Area 5 chief Pol MajGeneral Anuchai Lekbumrung said.
Meanwhile, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration deputy governor Theerachon Manomaipibul yesterday presided over the launch of the "citizens' watch for danger" campaign, which runs until Monday. The campaign urges Bangkok residents to keep an eye out for signs of crime, terrorism and other disasters, and is handing out handbooks at Pathum Wan intersection as well as at Siam and National Stadium Skytrain stations.
Theerachon said city officials were also working with police to guard 40 key locations, especially VIP residences as well as subway and Skytrain stations.
Corrections Department chief Chatchai Suthiklom said yesterday that he had notified the directors of some 100 prisons nationwide to be on alert because from 10am today, the red shirts were going to lay roses in front of prisons holding their comrades. "Though we believe that there will be no violence, we have to be prepared," he said.
Currently, 252 redshirt protesters are being detained in 17 prisons across the country, Chatchai said.
Police are also keeping a close eye on a weapons expert from Cambodia, who might instigate violence during the redshirt rally on Sunday.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Santhan Chayanont had previously claimed that a group of "men in black", trained for combat in Cambodia, were staking out Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's residence from a condominium nearby. This has prompted the beefing up of security for the PM as well as 50 VIPs, as police monitor people coming in and out of highrises, he said.
While telling the public not to panic, Panitan said yesterday that the police had been watching the PM's house for a few months now and noticed dubious men taking turns entering a condominium nearby. However, the police have not taken any action because the men had not done anything wrong so far. Also, they have not checked the condominium because it is private property, he said.
Admitting that reports claim this group was comprised of "experts" reportedly preparing for something, he said whether or not they are successful would depend wholly on security measures taken. However, he wouldn't say if there were any plans to relocate Abhisit.
Meanwhile, Abhisit said yesterday that he was being careful but added he was not that worried about being "watched" by the so-called "men in black". He said such reports came up occasionally, but the police provided him with good security.
In related news, Suthep told the press yesterday that Bangkok police was ready for the red shirt rally from Friday to Sunday, adding protesters were not allowed to block roads or use amplifiers.
Asked whether VIPs, including Abhisit and Suthep himself, should be moving to safe houses amid rumours of assassination plans, the deputy PM said there was no need.
As for the "men in black", he said, they first emerged on the night of April 10 and became known as an armed group that killed the general public and officials. He said that though the media called this group that allegedly carried out terrorist attacks and plotted assassinations the "men in black", nobody knew what colour they were wearing this time.
He added that following claims of there being plots to assassinate the PM, he had told security officials to check the neighbourhood for spots where the attacks might be launched. However, he said the officials must have moved so loudly that the suspects have already fled.
Meanwhile, former deputy permanent secretary for Defence, Admiral Bannawit Kengrien said he too had heard about the so-called assassination plot and that a large number of Cambodian warriors of Vietnamese descent, who had undergone military training and were great snipers, had been brought in to do the job.
He said this was in line with news about the chaos that is expected to bubble up by the end of this month. However, Bannawit said he didn't think this rumour had anything to do with the socalled "men in black" renting a condominium near Abhisit's home because these imported warriors keep moving around to avoid detection.
"Although I often criticise this government, I must warn the premier about the reports of an assassination plot against him. If he were harmed, the country's image would be ruined," he said.
Bannawit also said he did not know if former premier Thaksin Shinawatra was linked to this plot and that it was the government's job to investigate.
Meanwhile, emergency police chief Pol Maj General Thanapol Sonthes said reports about "men in black" plotting the assassination of VIPs had been filed since April, when the red shirts were rallying at the Rajprasong intersection. He added that all VIPs, especially the premier, were being provided with maximum security. He said a "trainer" from Cambodia was keeping a low profile in Thailand but the police knew his name and whereabouts, and were keeping an eye on him.
A team of 450 police officers had been given the job of guarding the upcoming rally, and initial investigation has not revealed any signs of the protest being prolonged or becoming violent, Metropolitan Police Area 5 chief Pol MajGeneral Anuchai Lekbumrung said.
Meanwhile, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration deputy governor Theerachon Manomaipibul yesterday presided over the launch of the "citizens' watch for danger" campaign, which runs until Monday. The campaign urges Bangkok residents to keep an eye out for signs of crime, terrorism and other disasters, and is handing out handbooks at Pathum Wan intersection as well as at Siam and National Stadium Skytrain stations.
Theerachon said city officials were also working with police to guard 40 key locations, especially VIP residences as well as subway and Skytrain stations.
Corrections Department chief Chatchai Suthiklom said yesterday that he had notified the directors of some 100 prisons nationwide to be on alert because from 10am today, the red shirts were going to lay roses in front of prisons holding their comrades. "Though we believe that there will be no violence, we have to be prepared," he said.
Currently, 252 redshirt protesters are being detained in 17 prisons across the country, Chatchai said.
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