Bangkok on high alert: CRES

After two bombing attacks in Bangkok in one week, the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) has step up security measures by keeping 24-hour alert on 454 spots across the capital city, the Metropolitan police spokesman said on Friday.

The CRES classified the places prone to attack into three levels, said Metropolitan police spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Piya Uthayo after CRES meeting.

The first level is on full-scale alert, he said. It consists of 130 spots, including royal palaces, important people's residences and transport terminals. Security units will be in position 24 hours within a 400-meter radius from these spots, along with support by patrols and surveillance teams.

The second level, consisting of 198 spots, is on high alert. They include government offices and places that have political symbolic meaning. Checkpoints will be set up near these spots.

The third level, consisting of 136 spots, is on frequent security checks. They include department stores, banks and crowded areas.

The CRES has also prepared ten special operations units on call, to be dispatched to various spots if emergency situation occurs, Piya said.

Closed-circuit cameras will be checked and repaired to make sure they work properly, and the CRES has also received cooperation from the private sector, allowing security personnel to examine the footage of their CCTV cameras.

On Tuesday, state-run National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) was attacked by an M79 grenade. There were no casualties but damaging property. And on Aug. 27, a security guard was seriously injured when a bomb went off near a duty-free shop, King Power complex, in central Bangkok.

Both attacks might have been carried out by the same group, Royal Thai Police adviser Panupong Singhara na Ayudhya said Wednesday.

Tarit Pengdit, Chief of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), said on Monday that DSI received intelligence report that there will be more violent situations happened at various government offices as they aimed to create situation.

Source: Xinhua