Up to 400 Yingluck supporters expected at court on judgement day
Intelligence sources estimate that around 300 to 400 people are likely to make their way to the Supreme Court this Wednesday to provide moral support for former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, when the verdict in the case against her stemming from her administration’s rice-pledging scheme will be read out – albeit probably in her absence.
Two companies of Metropolitan Police officers will be deployed to oversee security and traffic flows in and around the area of the court on the day.
The area will also be inspected before judgement day in the case against the ex-PM, Metropolitan Police deputy commander Pol Maj-General Panurat Lakboon said on Monday.
Yingluck failed to turn up on the original date of August 25 set for the reading of the verdict in the case, and is suspected of having fled the country prior to that date.
Much of the security measures will be the same as those provided for the scheduled August 25 ruling by the Supreme Court.
Mobile metal fences will be put up around 20 to 30 metres from the court’s gate, while no more than 100 people will be allowed to hear the ruling in person in the court’s chamber, Panurat said.
So far, there had been no reports of any "instigation" among Yingluck’s supporters, he added, apparently playing down any concerns over the possibility of an organised protest.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said on Monday that there was no need to have any special additional measures for this Wednesday.
“The police can take care of it, and the court makes it clear about [where people can and cannot stay in] its area,” he said.
