Those traveling to central Bangkok tomorrow can expect to see red, as tens of thousands of red-shirted supporters of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) will flood the city.
“You will see about 100,000 people coming to Ratchaprasong Road in memory of those who died,” said Thida Tavornseth, chairwoman of the UDD, referring to the 2010 government crackdown on protests that left around 100 people dead.
Saturday marks the second anniversary of the May 19 crackdown in Bangkok’s central shopping district.
Authorities are taking precautions to ensure “peace and order” during the gathering at Ratchaprasong intersection tomorrow, with about 1,200 police being deployed, The Bangkok Post reported.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Police will deploy five companies of crowd control police—about 750 officers—at the intersection and surrounding areas, Pol Col Preeda Sathaworn said.
Additional traffic control, patrol and bomb disposal units will be on standby and security checkpoints will be set up in the area to prevent people from inciting violence, he added.
Police advise motorists to avoid using roads near Ratchaprasong intersection which may be closed to traffic if large numbers of UDD supporters turn out for the demonstration.
