CrazyExpat Posted February 9, 2010 Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 BANGKOK -- Thailand has started deploying about 20,000 security forces to brace for protests ahead of a widely anticipated court ruling on the $2.2 billion fortune of deposed leader Thaksin Shinawatra, a spokesman said Monday. Supporters of Thaksin have stepped up anti-government demonstrations ahead of the Feb. 26 Supreme Court ruling on whether to seize Thaksin's assets. The former tycoon's riches were frozen after he was ousted by a coup in 2006. Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said more than 13,000 army, police and civilian security officers will be deployed across Thailand's 38 provinces. About 6,000 additional security will be deployed in the capital, where 200 checkpoints will be set up at "every entrance into Bangkok," he said. "We started to deploy forces earlier this month, but it will increase after Feb. 15," Panitan told reporters. "This is to prevent any uncertain situation from arising." Thaksin was removed from power after being accused of massive corruption while in office but remains a politically divisive figure in Thailand, where his supporters say he was unjustly treated and are demanding fresh elections. The Supreme Court will decide whether Thaksin's assets in Thailand were obtained through corrupt means and should be confiscated by authorities. Thailand has been gripped by pro-Thaksin and anti-Thaksin protests for more than three years. Thaksin supporters staged rallies in April that turned violent and the army had to be called in to restore order. ad_icon "We don't want a repeat of what happened last April when the troops came out a little late," Panitan said, adding authorities hoped to avoid invoking stringent security laws to keep order. "For now, we will use the normal laws. It depends on the situation." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/08/AR2010020800969.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Chang Posted February 9, 2010 Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 Can Taksin appeal the ruling before his money is confiscated? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wino Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 The article states, About 6,000 additional security will be deployed in the capital, where 200 checkpoints will be set up at "every entrance into Bangkok," he said. As if traffic is bad enough in Bangkok and now 200 checkpoints. I guess it is worth the bother if it helps keep the peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvdkeyes Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 My Thai bf says the court's decision will be final. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wino Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 The supreme court is the highest court in the land. What they say goes. Not sure if Thaskin is able to pay off a few judges or not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer Chang Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 Rumor is a gag order will be imposed making it illegal for Thai print media to speculate on the Feb 26th ruling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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