Two protesters were slightly injured in a minor clash between anti-government protesters and police at the Democracy Monument before noon today (Thursday). Police reiterated their warning that protesters will not be allowed to get close to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, where APEC meetings are being held.
Crowd control police moved on a group of protesters as they tried to approach the monument with a ladder, to hang a protest banner. Police used their shields to block the protesters, as some of them shouted “Arrest us!”, but the police did not make any arrests.
Pol Maj-Gen Archayon Kraithong, spokesman for the Royal Thai Police, said that protesters must notify authorities before staging a rally or moving to protest at another location.
He reiterated, however, that the areas around the convention centre and in front of the 19 hotels being used by APEC delegates remain off-limits to all rallies until November 19th.
He warned that the police will strictly enforce the law if protesters try to breach the off-limit areas, adding that police have prepared crowd-control equipment to deal any attempted breaches of the cordons.
More than 50,000 people, who live in the off-limits areas, have been granted access permission.
