Thailand on HIGH ALERT for more bombs
 

BANGKOK, June 29 (TNA) – Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Suthep
Thaugsuban on Tuesday ordered security officials to be on full alert
two days after two grenades hit an army oil depot Sunday night, while
the army may be recalled to urban security duty in the capital to help
police maintain order.

Mr Suthep’s order followed Democrat Party spokesman Buranat
Samutrarak's warning that some 40 key locations are targeted for
sabotage.

The deputy prime minister said he earlier asked security agencies to
boost their vigilence "but the areas are vast and the number of
[security] personnel is small" so incidents can take place anyway.

The deputy prime minister, who also supervises security affairs said,
“I believe some people were plotting more attacks.”

Meanwhile, National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Tawin
Pleansri said the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation
(CRES) may recall soldiers and security personnel to help police
maintain order as violent incidents occurred recently after the troops
had returned to their barracks.

The NSC secretary-general assured the public that the emergency decree
remains effective despite recent incidents.

"The emergency decree in force does not mean that violence will not
occur," said Mr Tawin, but the law helps security agencies to do their
work effectively.

Mr Tawin said that the emergency decree may affect the rights and
freedom of the people, but it will be useful in enforcing security and
maintaining stability.

Mr Suthep said the Cabinet will decided next week whether to extend
the emergency decree.

Imposed in the capital and 23 other provinces after the anti-
government Red Shirt protest escalated to riot and arson in Bangkok
and some provinces following their 10-week protest in the capital
demanding that the Prime Minister to dissolve the House, the emergency
decree will expire on July 7.

Mr Suthep said there has yet been no conclusion as to what group
carried out the grenade attack at the Quartermaster Department in
Nonthaburi, adjacent to Bangkok. He said he awaits a report from the
police.

CRES on Monday confirmed that two rocket-propelled grenades were fired
at an oil depot of the Quartermaster Department of Royal Thai Army in
the Nonthaburi provincial seat Sunday night.

The police said that only one of the 11 fuel containers in the storage
area was hit by the grenades, which punctured 20 holes in the empty 10
million-litre fuel container. No explosion occurred as the tank was
empty.

Police investigators believed the grenades were likely launched from
the Tasai community located behind the depot. Witnesses saw four men
on two motorcycles at the crime scene at 9.30pm when an explosion was
heard and the men drove away.

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