Police warned protesters not to breach the barrier or break the law, as Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak led a large group of protesters on a march from the Wat Phra Sri Mahatat BTS station, their assembly point, to the barracks of the 11th Infantry Regiment, in Bangkhen district, at about 4pm.
Before the arrival of the main group of protesters, some were already loitering in front of the barracks and a handful of them were seen trying to cut the razor wire, placed on top of a cement barrier being used to block the road.
Pol Colonel Krisana Pattanacharoen, deputy spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, told a news conference, at the RTP’s headquarters, that police at the scene will try to persuade protesters not to dismantle the barrier.
He said that police have no plan to close the road in front of the barracks, because they do not want inconvenience motorists or bus passengers.
Piyarat “Toto” Chongthep, chief security guard of the Ratsadon group, has assured the police that protesters will not try to break into the barracks, but sought permission to occupy the space in front of the camp until about 10pm.
He said that guards will help direct traffic on the road and ensure security for the protesters. He also asked police to relocate a group of yellow-shirted men away from the barrier, in front of the army camp, for safety’s sake.
