AS PROTESTERS, including opponents of coal-fired power plants and pro-election groups, increase pressure on the junta, security officials have said they would use a “soft approach” to maintain order, but also look into “financiers” who allegedly backed anti-junta groups.

Power plant protesters will stage a demonstration in front of Government House today despite a protest ban at the venue. Protest leader Direk Hemnakhon said yesterday that protesters would march from the current demonstration site at the United Nations building on Ratchadamnoen Avenue to voice their demands for the permanent cancellation of coal-fired projects in Krabi and Songkhla’s Thepa district.

The group acknowledged the protest ban regarding the area around Government House, but had to march since members had staged a hunger strike for nine days and the government had not accepted their demands, he said.

Army commander General Chalermchai Sitthisart said protests against the power plants had been peaceful, but a rally at Government House would have larger-scale consequences.

Authorities would need to take action and enforce relevant laws, as at the least the protest would cause traffic congestion, he said.

“Officials will take good care and provide assistance. I don’t think there will be any problems,” Chalermchai said.

He added that he did not think the UN’s recognition of the protest would have any negative effects for Thailand. The government was dealing with the matter “properly”, he said.

“There are both opponents and supporters of the power plant project. The government has to deal with the matter carefully. The parties involved must take part to consider this matter together,” he said.

Protesters said the group had already notified police about their march to Government House and assured them that they would not cause chaos or break the law.

On February 9, Metropolitan Police announced a 50-metre area around Government House as a no-protest zone, forcing coal-fired power plant protesters to relocate their venue to the UN building.

There were 69 persons participating in the hunger strike against the power projects yesterday. They said they would not consume anything except for water, milk and coconut juice until the government orders a permanent cancellation of both projects in the South.

Ten people have been hospitalised during the prolonged hunger strike.

Authorities take legal action

Protester Somboon Khamhang said the Civil Court would issue a judgment today on the police order that would force them to leave their current site at the UN offices. The protesters had already complied with the Public Gathering Act, as the group had notified authorities that the protest would last until February 28, he said.

The power plant protesters form one group of many exerting pressure on the junta to meet their demands.

Other groups include the Democracy Restoration Group and Start Up People, which are demanding not only an election, but also for the junta to step down and allow a return to democracy.

Four assemblies, each lasting for a few hours, have taken place so far with participating activists having been charged with allegations including breaking the junta’s order against sedition, which could land offenders in prison for up to seven years.

Prosecutions are ongoing with some activists having been released without condition and others on bail, while many are still continuing to hold assemblies.

Top-ranking security officers are standing firm on statements that they will be able to control the escalating assemblies to maintain the “order of the country”.

They also said they would track down unspecified “financiers” that they suspected were sponsoring protest groups organising anti-junta actions.

“I think most Thai people also want an election, but they understand our procedures and allow us some time,” said Army chief Chalermchai. “That is better than confronting each other and making the conflicts return.”

National Security Council secretary-general General Wanlop Raksanor added that he did not expect many people to join the anti-junta rallies.