Metropolitan police plan to step up counter-measures against pro-democracy protesters next week.
Pol Maj Gen Piya Tawichai, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said police will impose tougher measures to control protesters at the Din Daeng intersection without using violence, as they need to maintain peace and security.
Pol Maj Gen Piya said the police's attempts to control the protesters will not affect ordinary people or cause traffic chaos.
Instead of arresting them during gatherings, protesters will be tracked down later, he said.
"Checkpoints will also be set up but officials need to be careful not to inconvenience residents. Some 200 motorcycles have been seized in total," he said.
Officers will likely surround all areas where pro-democracy protesters made trouble previously.
Police had received tip-offs about people selling weapons to protesters and three suspects are about to be charged.
He said that because the pro-democracy protesters have announced they will demonstrate at the Din Daeng intersection, officers have been stationed there to control them.
The police's actions were in accordance with the Emergency Decree and Disease Control laws.
Pol Maj Gen Piya said the gathering on Wednesday of the Thalu Gas (tear gas survivors) and vocational student groups along with other protesters saw fireworks and other explosive items being hurled at officers while fires were set under tollways. Offenders will be tracked down and legal action taken against them, he said.
If they are youngsters, their parents will face punishment while those who shared unlawful content on social media will also be in trouble if their actions are deemed to have violated the Computer Crimes Act.
So far, 454 protesters out of 699 wanted suspects in 190 cases have been arrested since July, Pol Maj Gen Piya said.
Red-shirt leader Nattawut Saikuar on Thursday posted on Facebook calling for pro-democracy protesters to stage a rally on Sept 19 at Asok Intersection.
