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Bomb planted at Thai court as Thaksin ruling looms: police
(AFP) – 8 hours ago
BANGKOK — Thai police said they had defused a bomb near the Supreme Court on Sunday, while a grenade exploded near government offices, ahead of a ruling this month on ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's fortune.
Neither incident in central Bangkok caused casualties. But they occurred despite the deployment of at least 20,000 extra security personnel around Thailand ahead of the February 26 court verdict on ex-premier Thaksin, who lives in exile.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who has faced mass protests from Thaksin supporters since coming to power in December 2008, accused anti-government elements of trying to stir up trouble.
"The motive is to cause turmoil. I am not swayed by this psychological warfare," Abhisit told reporters.
"The government is keeping an eye on movements because we have heard that a certain group of people would like to see the failure of the administration. We have always expected that."
Police said unidentified attackers fired a grenade late Saturday at a university located opposite Government House -- the office of Abhisit and his cabinet.
A car, a truck and a storage room were damaged by the grenade, said police Colonel Rangsan Pradittphon.
Early Sunday a security guard found a cardboard box containing three pounds (1.4 kilogrammes) of the plastic explosive C-4 attached to electric wire in the yard outside the Supreme Court building, police said.
Bomb disposal experts had removed the box, said district police chief General King Kwangvisatchaichan.
The Supreme Court is due to rule on whether the fortune of Thaksin -- frozen in the months after he was deposed in a military coup in 2006 -- can be seized by the authorities.
The government fears a backlash from pro-Thaksin "Red Shirts" if the court agrees to such a step. The movement has stepped up anti-government demonstrations ahead of the court date.
Despite staying abroad since August 2008, Thaksin remains a divisive figure in his homeland, still popular among the poor but reviled by the Bangkok-based elites.
Both his opponents -- the so-called "Yellow Shirts" -- and red-clad supporters have staged numerous rallies over the past year, which have sometimes turned violent.
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FEB 26 ASSETS TRIAL
Judges offered safe house


By THE NATION
Published on February 16, 2010




In preparation for the turmoil expected when the court verdict on ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's assets-seizure case is issued, the Court of Justice is doing everything to keep the judges and court officials safe, an official said yesterday.


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The government today will also step up measures to beef up security to maintain law and order nationwide.

Supreme Court Chairman Sobchoke Sukharom called a meeting yesterday with security agencies to seek help in ensuring the safety of all court officials and judges, said Court of Justice Secretary Virat Chinwinitkul.

"If any judges of the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders feel unsafe or uncomfortable with the situation, they may request more security or safe transportation," he said.
'TEMPORARY RESORT'

"We can also provide them with a safe place to stay during the critical period. It will not be a safe house, but rather more like a temporary resort."

The situation in the country is becoming increasingly tense as the court prepares to rule on Thaksin's case 10 days from now. A grenade exploded in a university campus near Government House on Saturday night, while a bomb was defused in the Court of Justice compound on Sunday. No one has claimed responsibility, but authorities indicated the incidents only intensified the ongoing political tension.

Thaksin's red-shirt supporters yesterday said they would not organise any demonstrations to pressure the court but could not stop any independent groups or individuals from calling protests.

Red-shirt leader Veera Musigapong said all Thai citizens had the right to picket at the court on the day of the verdict.

"The assets-seizure case is only another example of double standards," he said.

Meanwhile, the National Security Council will propose to the Cabinet meeting today that Prime Minister<a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/adsearch.php?keyword=+Abhisit+Vejjajiva+"> Abhisit Vejjajiva set up a special committee to oversee the situation, Deputy Prime Minister<a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/adsearch.php?keyword=+Suthep+Thaugsuban+"> Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday.

"Any violence or chaos would hurt the country, so security agencies should map out measures to prevent such situations from occurring," Suthep told reporters after meeting with security agencies.

The security committee would be chaired by Suthep himself and include other relevant officials, such as Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, he said.

The committee would also be given the right to call an urgent meeting at any time of the day or night, to ensure quick response and timely recommendations for measures, such as implementing the Internal Security Act, Suthep said.

However, Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd said it was not necessary to impose the security law right now.

The metropolitan police force would be in charge of the capital, while commanders from four army regions, the Internal Security Operation Command and provincial governors would oversee the rest of the country, he said.

The Special Branch Police and the military earlier warned there would be a number of violence-prone areas in Bangkok. People have been told to be careful in places that are politically symbolic, such as Democracy Monument, Government House, Parliament, the Foreign Ministry, courts, the National Anti-Corruption Commission office, residences of the Privy Councillors and areas near Army headquarters and Dusit Palace.

Acting police chief Pol General Pateep Tanprasert yesterday ordered the police to boost operations before the court issued its verdict.

Police will implement its Korakot operation plan to handle the situation, he said.

Pateep said police were prepared to maintain law and order via peaceful means during demonstrations.

Prior to the verdict, the police will deploy more officers to oversee the capital, with more security checkpoints being set up and more rapid patrol units sent to take care of violence-prone areas in Bangkok, he said.

The homes of important political figures, such as Prime Minister<a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/adsearch.php?keyword=+Abhisit+Vejjajiva+"> Abhisit Vejjajiva and judges, will also be under heavy security, Pateep said.

The police chief said he would ask the military to dispatch soldiers to help provide security in the capital, since he had inadequate manpower to do the job.