Thailand's police
are seeking Cabinet approval of a new version of a bill governing crowdcontrol
operations to be used in the event of political rallies or protests.
Deputy National Police chief Adul Saengsingkaew said the
new law would focus on four points: adopting lessons learned in previous
clashes; reviewing the rules of engagement in standard procedures codenamed
"Korrakot 52"; reviewing relevant laws; and reviewing contingent
situation management.
National Police chief Priewpan Damapong, speaking at a
ceremony in Nakhon Pathom yesterday to launch a largescale crowd control drill,
said the bill focused on "protecting those who assemble peacefully and
their rights", while keeping safe "those who assemble, regardless of
their political colours".
One of the prime objectives of the bill is to prevent
mobs from blocking roads or seizing government offices and public
infrastructure, he said.
Adul said antiriot units would be upgraded to a new
status and attached to all police units. The drill was expected to better their
internal communications and ensure rapid deployment at short notice.
Police are preparing for anticipated protests between
government supporters and opponents during the next parliamentary session,
which begins in August.
A previous round of protest rallies ended last month when
the Pheu Thaidominated House withdrew a controversial bill that would have
pardoned former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra of all crimes he had
committed or been convicted of, and returned 46 billion baht (US$1.44 billion)
seized from him.
A senior commander, Pol General Worraphong Chewpreecha,
said police preferred a previous bill, which was rejected by a House vote. He
did not give details on why police were happy with the previous version.
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