Anti-establishment protesters have decided to relocate this afternoon’s rally, from the First Infantry Battalion of the Royal Guards, on Vibhavadi Rangsit highway, to the 11th Infantry Regiment of the Royal Guards in Bangkhen district.
The change of venue was announced at 10am this morning (Sunday) in a Facebook post by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration. No reason was given for the change, but followers of the student-led movement were told to gather at the BTS station at Wat Phra Sri Mahatat, before a planned march late this afternoon to the army barracks in Bangkhen.
The Ratsadon group also plans to hold a rally in front of the Imperial shopping mall on Lat Phrao road.
Pol Maj-Gen Piya Tavichai said this morning that police were ready to provide security for the protesters and, at the same time, prevent protesters from encroaching onto state property, including military barracks.
Cargo containers, concrete barriers and razor wire were placed on Vibhavadi Rangsit highway early this morning, a short distance from the barracks of the First Infantry Battalion, to block the out-bound local road. Some of the containers were placed inside the barracks.
Motorists have been advised to avoid using the local road as of noon today, after police started blocking traffic, from the War Veterans Hospital as far as the Army Club stadium.
In addition to police, he said that troops will be on standby, inside barracks, in case any protesters try to breach the boundary.
