Police and soldiers are stationed on roads around Suvarnabhumi Airport, at several major Skytrain stations, bus terminals, hospitals and government offices. At the airport, police with K-9 dogs walked among tourists.

Authorities also set up security checkpoints on King Kaew Road, Suvarnabhumi 3 Road and the road running from Bang Na-Trat Highway to the airport.

Vehicles are being searched thoroughly, including with bomb detectors, before being allowed to pass through checkpoints.

Bag checks, which have often been ignored at some store and transport entrances, were carried out at many areas yesterday with ordinary people willing to cooperate with the measures.

Deputy national police chief Pol General Chalermkiat Srivorakan said security checkpoints would be set up at 27 locations in the capital to operate 24 hours a day.

The checkpoints include those at Army headquarters, the Civil Service Commission opposite Government House, Mor Chit

Skytrain Station, Central Ladprao department store, Suvarnabhumi Airport, On Nut Road and Seacon Square department store.

Meanwhile, Athikom Intuputi, secretary-general of the Office of Judiciary, said safety measures at the Ratchadapisek Court compound had been strengthened. Cars entering and exiting the compound would be checked, he said.

Police General Hospital also increased security measures. Director Pol Lt-General Witoon Nitiwarangkul said that the hospital already had high standards and efficient safety measures in place because there had been rallies in the vicinity in the past.

“We have high standards of safety but have not been so strict. I don’t think we will have to scan baskets or flower vases brought in for patients because the hospital has to offer convenience for patients and visitors,” the director said.

However, he instructed officials to reinforce their safety checks at entrances. One area of focus will be to check garbage cans to watch for people placing dangerous items inside them.

There are 190 security cameras at key areas inside the hospital and 300 more spread around the premises.

Witoon added that hospitals should not be targets in any conflict.

Sorasak Piravej, secretary to the House of Representatives Secretariat Office and acting secretary to Parliament, |said Parliament was not considered a prime target but security had been increased because government leaders met in the area.