464 spots in Bangkok to be put under tighter surveillances: CRES
The Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) has identified 464 spots in Bangkok as risky.
Of them, 130 are to have stringent security arrangement as they either have had high risks or utmost importance.
Among these spots are palatial compounds, key government offices, Skytrain stations, subway stations, transportation systems, and the residences of very important figures.
Emerging from a CRES meeting, National Police Office deputy spokesman Maj General Piya Utayo yesterday revealed about some of the security measures as public panic grew in the wake of recent bombing attacks in the heart of the capital.
Although Bangkok remained under the state of emergency, security measures had relaxed a bit since a resemblance of peace returned.
However, Piya yesterday made clear the CRES was preparing to step up security.
According to him, the 464 risky spots are to receive security arrangement based on their importance and risks involved.
"We have categorised them into three groups," he said.
The first group covered 130 spots with either high risks or utmost importance. For each place in this group, policemen, soldiers, city policemen will stay on guard 24 hours a day.
"Many are in plainclothes but many others are in uniforms," he said. "Patrols are to be conducted within the 400metre radius around each of these spots too. In addition, there will be secret surveillance".
Piya added that security cameras were also rearranged in a bid to boost security.
In the second group were 198 places, which relatively had a lower risk. Sitting in this group were government offices and residences of other highprofile figures.
"We have set up checkpoints and arranged patrols there," he said.
Piya said the third group covered 136 department stores, shopping centres and banks. According to him, authorities will focus on providing training to security officials at all these spots, and establishing effective communications channels for all relevant officials.
"In case a serious emergency arises, we have 10 taskforces on hand," Piya said.
He said soldiers from the First Army Region, policemen from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, and officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) were in charge of implementing this security plan.
BMA closedcircuit systems have now been installed at 2,928 locations across the capital. Thanks to the cooperation from private operators, the authorities are going to have the use of nearly 10,000 security cameras more for protecting people and properties capital too.
Piya said CRES would not just guard risky spots but would also take other preemptive measures such as the use of pressure tactics against groups prone to stage violence.
"We will investigate their activities," he said.
Moreover, he said the CRES was going to rely on psychological operations too.
According to him, BMA and the Interior Ministry are already instructed to take proactive measures in persuading people to help maintain peace and order.
"At the same time, relevant officials will speed up prosecution against those who give false information, or cause unnecessary panic to the public or social division," he said.
Asked whether the CRES had received tips off about plots to stage violent attacks, Pita said, "No. CRES just wants to make sure that people are safe and sound".