By Bancha Khaengkhan Suparat Iamtan

Thousands of troops deployed to checkpoints and key sites around Bangkok, as well as Isaan and the North The deployment of thousands of troops started in provinces across the country yesterday ahead of the verdict in the assets-seizure case against fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the government spokesman said.

Panitan Wattanayagorn said close to 200 checkpoints would be set up in and around Bangkok - where about 5,000 troops (54 companies) will be based, particularly at "points of entry and exit", key state agencies, and transport networks.

He said the monitoring was at a "normal level" at present but that the degree of intensity would gradually increase from next Monday until the court ruling on February 26.

"If not, there could be a serious problem. In the April 2009incident, we found it took a lot of time after orders were made before the security forces could come out. The protesters got close to intersections and many important agencies. This time, security forces will be in place before protesters arrive," Panitan said.

"The principle is clear: the government does not want a repeat of the volatility experienced in April 2009. We also believe that most protesters will come with a sincere intention to express their political stance. But with any efforts of incite violence, the authorities need to take control."

ANTI-RIOT DRILL

The Metropolitan Police will hold an anti-riot drill with military personnel next week involving more than 5,000 officers, its spokesman, Major-General Piya Uthayo, said yesterday.

A site big enough for a "large scale" drill was being sought, he said.

Senior Metropolitan Police chiefs met yesterday to discuss increased security measures for important figures who could become targets of violent attacks, according to Piya, who said that included Cabinet ministers, judges and privy councillors.

The meeting, chaired by Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt-General Santhan Chayanon, agreed to assign police stations whose jurisdiction included homes of possible targets to keep a 24-hour watch on those premises, the police spokesman said. Security cameras will be installed in places without any, while faulty ones will be repaired.

Extra fences and barriers will be set up around such sites.

In addition to the 54 companies that will be stationed in the capital, three to five companies of troops will be sent to each of the 37 other provinces, said Panitan, who is also deputy secretary-general to the prime minister.

Each company consists of about 80 to a little over 100 men.

The total number of security personnel to be deployed is estimated at 20,000.

Of the 38 provinces with increased security measures, 17 are in the Northeast, 10 in the North, nine in the central region and two in the South, said police.

Thaksin's supporters are mostly in the North and Northeast.

The red-shirt movement, which consists mostly of Thaksin's supporters, has stepped up pressure for a fair trial.

The case involves Bt76 billion frozen in Thai banks in accounts belonging to Thaksin and his family members.

Army specialist Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, who supports the former PM, has warned of an alleged plot against judges hearing the case, who are from the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.

The red shirts gathered yesterday at the Office of the Attorney-General to pressure for faster legal action against Thaksin's enemies, including leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy.

They plan another demonstration at the Royal Thai Police headquarters tomorrow, at the National Anti-Corruption Commission on Friday and outside the Election Commission next Monday.

Panitan said the government began its security preparations at a Cabinet meeting a few weeks ago.

"The government places great importance on the greater Bangkok area, because we understand there will be many demonstrators. Upcountry, our assessment is the number of protesters will not increase significantly - only a few thousands in each province," he said.

This article was first published in The Nation/Asia News Network.