The Dean of the Faculty of Law at Thammasat University has announced the closure of the Tha Prachan campus and cancellation of classes on Saturday and Sunday for the safety of staff members, students and property.

The order to close the campus this weekend, which coincides with the planned protest by the Thammasat Alliance group, was issued on Wednesday by Dr. Munin Pongsaparn.

According to the order, all the gates, except the one facing the Phra Arthit Road, will be closed for two days and any officials or students who want to enter the campus must produce their ID cards and explain the reason for their entry.

Earlier, the university’s administrators banned students from using the Tha Prachan campus for the protest this weekend, on the grounds that the protest organizers had refused to accept the university’s pre-conditions.

Meanwhile, the six-party coalition alliance today issued a statement, urging the Government to open a public space for use by protesting students, claiming that they have the right to free expression without being harassed or intimidated.

The alliance also urged government MPs and senators to support the amendment of Section 256 of the Constitution, to pave way for the creation of a Constitution Drafting Assembly to write a new charter.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who has been assigned by the Prime Minister to oversee security during the protests, today assured that there will not be any clashes between the protesters and the police.

About 9,000 police officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, the Border Patrol Police and eight other regional bureaux have been mobilized to ensure peace and order during the protest this weekend. The police will be deployed at the Tha Prachan campus, the Grand Palace, the Democracy Monument, the Chor Por Ror intersection, Makkawan Bridge, Wissukamnoraman and Thewesnarumit intersections, Suan Miksakawan and U-thong Nok intersections and several other intersections in the area and their surroundings.

Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang, meanwhile, said that the City Hall has instructed all units to brace for heavy rain and possible flooding this Saturday, due to the influence of Tropical Storm Noul, which is forecast to hit landfall in central Vietnam at noon tomorrow.

The storm, which is likely to develop into a typhoon as it approaches Vietnam, will cause widespread heavy to very heavy rain in the northeastern, northern, central, southern and eastern regions of Thailand, including Bangkok and its suburbs.

He recommended that residents living in low-lying areas move their belongings to higher ground and to check their electrical appliances to ensure they are safe.