The junta has warned it could take stricter measures against protests on the eve of a possible rally to demand the armed forces go back to their barracks and return power to civilians.
Soldiers were stationed on the BTS skywalk at the Asok intersection last weekend as an anti-coup group gathered at Terminal 21 shopping centre nearby. About 6,000 security officers were deployed in eight key locations in Bangkok and Samut Prakan last week to prevent rallies. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) "calls on people to reconsider [protests] and cooperate with authorities by avoiding rallies and causing turmoil in the country", deputy spokesman Winthai Suwaree said on Saturday.
Protests took place in Bangkok on the last two Sundays — near the Ratchaprasong intersection on May 22 and at the Asok intersection on May 29. No major clashes occurred. At least 100 people joined the rally last Sunday in front of the Terminal 21 shopping centre. Many flashed three-finger salutes to signal their opposition to the coup, and others wore tape over their mouths to protest against curbs on freedom of speech.
A video clip of a woman being arrested by plainclothes police and forced into a taxi outside the shopping centre sparked an outcry online.
The two largely peaceful rallies were publicised through social media by Sombat Boonngam-anong, who also staged peaceful demonstrations against the military after its 2006 power seizure.
He was arrested in Phan Thong district on Thursday night for defying an NPCO order to report for questioning, after investigators traced his IP address. He has been detained at the 21st Infantry Regiment in Chon Buri.
Shortly after his capture, a pre-recorded message was posted on YouTube in which he urged people to continue demonstrations to oppose the coup.
"The NCPO may use measures to maintain law and order. Any move against NCPO orders is considered illegal and authorities may strictly take legal action," Col Winthai said on Saturday.
Soldiers and police have been cracking down aggressively on weapons and firearms to prevent possible violence. They have also blocked anti-government websites and silenced community radio stations and some television outlets.
Since May 22, authorities have blocked 553 websites and closed down 40 community radio broadcasters nationwide, said a source who attended an NPCO meeting on Saturday.
Participants at the meeting evaluated the situation after the coup and said the momentum against the power seizure was subsiding with no opposition to attempts to reconcile the country, the source added.
The junta has banned gatherings of more than five people in public places.
Last week, about 6,000 soldiers and police were sent to eight locations in the capital and Samut Prakan province to fend off possible rallies. All provincial halls and key government offices in other provinces were heavily guarded by security forces as well.