City police brace for protest strife
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City police brace for protest strife

Police are gearing up to prevent clashes between anti-government protesters and-red shirt supporters who are both staging rallies on Monday.

Police chief Adul Saengsingkaew said police would do whatever they can to prevent any violence which could lead to loss of lives or injury.

The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) plans to march from Lumpini Park to Sanam Luang to mark Coronation Day, while the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) plans to resume its rallies the same day on Utthayan Road in the west of Bangkok.

While the rallies are some distance from each other, police are still concerned that protesters could take matters into their own hands.

Police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Piya Uthayo said extra officers will be on duty to keep order. The extra forces will be deployed at rally sites until July, he said.

Police are also prepared to handle the PDRC’s plan for another rally on May 14, Pol Gen Adul said.

The caretaker cabinet has extended the imposition of the Internal Security Act for another two months, until June 30, Pol Maj Gen Piya said.

The Election Commission (EC) has chosen July 20 as the date for the next general election.

The police chief ordered police nationwide to cooperate with the EC, especially in those areas where conflicts erupted in the most recent polls.

Meanwhile, Chalerm Yubamrung, director of the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order and caretaker labour minister, criticised PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban's self-declared aim of overthrowing the caretaker government as undemocratic.

All sides were looking forward to the election, said Mr Chalerm, adding Mr Suthep should not try to oppose democracy or he could land himself in trouble.

"The armed forces will certainly support the caretaker government and the EC in ensuring the July 20 polls are successful," Mr Chalerm said.

Those who had obstructed the previous poll should prepare themselves for likely jail terms as all legal cases are being sent to prosecutors for indictment, he said.

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