PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey yesterday decided to start using a bulletproof Land Rover as his official vehicle after he was told of possible security threats against Cabinet members and their families.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who told the Cabinet about the threats on Tuesday, said yesterday that any Cabinet members wishing to use bulletproof cars should file a request. However, he said, there were only 20 vehicles available, which would not be enough to cover all 36 Cabinet members.

Satit, who is in charge of the state media, earlier used a BMW sedan as his official vehicle.

So far, only four Cabinet members have used bulletproof Land Rovers - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Suthep, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij. Suthep now uses his personal bulletproof Ford, which he says was previously under repair.

The bulletproof Land Rovers were also used to transport state leaders during the Asean summit in Hua Hin and Cha-am last year.

Suthep reportedly told Cabinet members on Tuesday to be more careful about their own safety as well as that of their spouses and children now that the red-shirt leaders were issuing threats more frequently. The deputy premier, who is in charge of security affairs, yesterday also rebuked the mass media for reporting about his warning, which, he said, was meant to be off the record.

A source said that a troop of 150 crowd-control police officers have been sent to Government House to add to the 160 Special Branch police officers already stationed inside the compound. In addition, each gate of the compound will be guarded round the clock.

Next week, when the red shirts plan to start rallying to bring down the government and force House dissolution, more security forces will be sent to guard Government House. Soldiers will take over the job of providing security within the premises, while police will play a supporting role, the source said.

-The Nation/Asia News Network