Asia-Pacific

Thailand beefs up security amid attack warning

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-09-10 20:24

BANGKOK -- The authorities are stepping up security measures in Bangkok after more violence are warned in the next two weeks, Deputy Prime Minister for security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban said on Friday.

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Suthep Thaugsuban said he is worried about the planned rally of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) also known as the "Red-shirt" movement on September 19 which marks the fourth anniversary of the military coup that ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Earlier, the "Red-shirt" has announced to stage rallies in Bangkok and north province of Chiang Mai on the day.

Thailand has seen several bombing attacks or attempts in the past two weeks. On Wednesday, three unexploded bombs were found in Thailand targeting at a school, a department store and the Public Health Ministry.

Moreover, the headquarters of the state-run National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) in Bangkok was attacked by an M79 grenade on August 31. There was no casualties reported. And on August 27, a security guard was seriously injured when a bomb went off near a duty-free shop in central Bangkok.

The Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) has step up security measures across the capital city by keeping 24-hour alert on 454 spots across Bangkok since September 3.