• 
• 
• 

Police Commissioner Maj Gen Worapong Chiewpreecha has urged people to avoid areas around Government House.

He said he believes the police and Army soldiers would work round the clock in shifts to keep things peaceful. Worapong said municipal officials had been told to watch out for unusual objects in public areas.

The police also advised organisers of the Red-Cross Fair nearby to ensure that steel bars, wooden poles or anything else that could be used as a weapon is not left behind after they have dismantled their booths.

He said the police would also prevent a "third party" from inciting any violence.

Pongsak Semsant, permanent secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, said yesterday that about 2,000 officials from the BMA's Department of Law Enforcement would help the police direct traffic near and around the protest site. He said ambulances would be also on 24-hour standby.

Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat yesterday called a meeting with provincial governors from all over the country. Speaking after a Cabinet meeting in Pattaya, he said he would instruct the governors to prevent any confusion or violence in areas under their jurisdiction.

Early yesterday, Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul presided over a function at which ministry officials took an oath of loyalty to the monarchy. More than 100 provincial governors and ministry officials took part in the ceremony.

According to acting government spokesman Panitan Watanayagorn, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva advised his Cabinet yesterday to do their utmost to prevent violence, particularly in their ministry compounds. The premier also expressed concern at possible intervention by a third party to spark violence during today's red-shirt rally, Panitan said.