Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has ordered an increased police presence at Khao Yai Thiang in Nakhon Ratchasima province ahead of Monday's red-shirt protest rally, but said there's no need to invoke the Internal Security Act.
The red-shirts have confirmed they would rally there on Monday in protest against former prime minister Surayud Chulanont's ownership of a property that encroaches on a protected forest.
They have accused the government of turning a blind eye to the privy councillor's trespass on the reserve land.
Mr Suthep on Friday urged the red-shirts not to break the law and not to hurt innocent people in the protest area. Police have been ordered to prevent clashes and to take legal action against those breaking the law, he said.
He also said he did not believe the situation would turn violent, and that it was not necessary to impose Internal Security Act in the area.
Pol Lt-Gen Dechawat Ramsompop, chief of the Region 3 Police, said he believed the situation could be kept under control.
There were no reports of red-shirts arriving in the area ahead of the planned protest on Monday. However, police were ready to cope with any situation, he said.
Roads leading to the country home of Gen Surayud at Khao Yai Thiang would not be closed, but security checkpoints would be set up.
All tambon and village chiefs in the area had been instructed to tell residents stay calm to prevent possible clashes with the protesters.
Supreme Commander Gen Songkitti Jaggabatara said the army was ready to assist police to ensure peace and order if called upon.
Red-shirts from Lop Buri and Ayutthaya said they would join the rally at Khao Yai Thiang on Monday.
The leader of United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) in Lop Buri, Pol Col Chukiat Duangchana, said about 100 red-shirts from the province would take part.
“We will gather at Wat Dong Sawong in Muang district and will move to Khao Yai Thiang about 7am on Monday by a bus and another 10 pickup trucks," he said.
Whether the Lopburi red-shirts would stay in Pak Chong more than one day would depend on the situation, he added.
They would abide by the law and not trespass on other people's land nor encroach on the forest reserve. He said the group just wants to flex its muscle to show the international community that the government has double standards on law enforcement.
“If the demonstration is prolonged, I will bring more red-shirt people from Lop Buri, particularly supporters who are in the police or military officers to join force with the red-shirts from other provinces,” he said.
Mayuree Sawettasai, leader of red-shirt group for Ayutthaya, said the protesters had prepared pla ra (fermented fish) bombs for use if state state authorities try to prevent them from entering Khao Yai Thiang.
Kwanchai Praiphana, leader of Kon Rak Udon group, said he would also lead about 3,000 red-shirts from Udon Thani to join the rally.
He expected about 100,000 red-shirts from 19 provinces in the Northeast and other regions would turn out at Khao Yai Thiang.
The Office of Attorney-General officially explained on Friday that it decided not to indict Gen Surayud for encroaching on the Khao Yai Thiang land because he lacked intention.
Thanapit Moolapruek, the OAG spokesman, said the decision was based on the fact that Gen Surayud bought the land third-hand, not knowing he might be breaking the law. Moreover, he occupied the land after receiving permission from the Forestry Department, he said.
Mr Thanapit said the OAG on Thursday sent a letter to the Forestry Department advising it to reclaim the land because Gen Surayud does not have the right to occupy it. The department may do so by filing a lawsuit for the return of the land to the state.
Jatuporn Promphan, a Puea Thai MP and leader of the red shirts, said the decision by the OAG was shameful and unjust.
Gen Surayud had no right to occupy the land from the beginning and he could not right the wrong by returning the land.
Mr Jatuporn said the red-shirts led by Suporn Atthawong would first gather near Khao Yai Thiang on Sunday and he and other UDD leaders including Veera Musikaphong and Nathawut Saikua would also be there.
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