Police are threatening to arrest members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship if they damage a forest reserve on Khao Yai Thiang in Nakhon Ratchasima during their planned rally today.
United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protesters make their point with a banner reading ‘‘Village of Double Standards’’. They erected the banner to attack Privy Councillor Surayud Chulanont over his Khao Yai Thiang property. The protesters gathered at the area yesterday and threatened to illegally occupy forest reserve land. JETJARAS NA RANONG
If the UDD protesters cut down trees or attempt to occupy any part of the reserve, police would arrest them and charge them with trespassing, the head of the Provincial Police Bureau 3, Dechawat Ramsomphop, said yesterday.
The UDD has threatened to cut down trees on the mountain and occupy land as part of the rally to illustrate the damage caused by Privy Councillor Surayud Chulanont at his 22-rai mountain-top property. They are protesting against what they claim are the government's judicial double standards.
While some villagers who have occupied reserve land on the mountain have been sued for encroachment, Gen Surayud, a former prime minister, has been asked to return his land without fear of prosecution.
Pol Lt Gen Dechawat said the security forces in place at Khao Yai Thiang - made up of police, military and Forestry Department officers - would not be armed and would not use force against the protesters. They would use shields only if confronted by violence.
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