Residents of Bangkok are being warned to be vigilant even though the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship mass rally appears to be running out of steam.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday threats of violence had increased despite the drop in the number of red shirt protesters in the capital, pointing to two grenade attacks in Bangkok and a bomb attack in Chiang Mai.

He was referring to the M79 grenade attack at the 1st Infantry Regiment on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road on Monday, the M79 grenade attack near the home of Supreme Administrative Court president Ackrathorn Chularat in Lat Phrao and the home-made bomb explosion at a company owned by Newin Chidchob’s father-in-law in Chiang Mai yesterday.

The peace-keeping operation command said the number of UDD supporters gathering at Phan Fa bridge had fallen from its peak of about 100,000 on Sunday. On Monday night the number was estimated at 25,000 and dropped to about 15,000 yesterday morning.

UDD leaders acknowledged the declining number of protesters from Sunday and said reinforcements of fresh protesters from other provinces were expected to arrive today.

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said the mass turnout was the only way to keep pressure on the government to dissolve the parliament to clear the way for new elections.

“We have to make a rotation to maintain our strength,” Mr Thaksin said last night. “If the number [of protesters] is down, we will be vulnerable.”

Mr Suthep said threats of violence were likely from a group of people he described as “hard-core” and “underground”.

“It is a must that we keep troops, police and civil volunteers where they are to keep peace and maintain order,” he said. “They will remain until it can be assured the situation is returning to normal.”

He said security authorities had been warned of possible sabotage in reports from foreign governments which have comprehensive and efficient intelligent networks.

Citing these intelligence reports, Mr Suthep said at least two high-rises might be targets of sabotage attacks.

“If [these attacks] take place it would have a devastating impact,” he said.

Mr Suthep said acts of violence were likely to be committed during the day when security measures were less strict to avoid causing traffic congestion.

He also voiced concerns about the slow progress in the investigation into the grenade attack at the 1st Infantry Regiment on Monday. Police investigators so far have no suspects.

Pol Maj Gen Prawut Thawornsiri, spokesman of the police operations command centre, said the UDD rally was expected to be wrapped up within a week without any violence.

Information gathered from the rally indicated most of the red shirts should start returning to their homes on Friday.

“The crowds of tens of thousands of people have dwindled,” Pol Maj Gen Prawut said. “Some have already returned and several have started to worry about their farms. They should disperse around March 19.”

Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday the army had assessed the UDD rally would carry on for another seven days.

He said there were several factors including a drying up of funds and heat.

Political observers said yesterday the government appeared to be confident that it was in control of the situation.

They viewed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s decision to leave the capital for a one-day visit to Tak and Phitsanulok yesterday to inspect the drought as a sign of the government being in control.

Mr Abhisit yesterday reiterated that he was ready to hold talks with UDD leader Veera Musikhapong to discuss the political situation.

But he insisted he would not bow to the UDD’s demand for a dissolution of the House as long as it was unlikely to improve the country’s political system.

Meanwhile, Thaksin last night accused Mr Abhisit of having mental problems for ignoring tens of thousands of demonstrators’ calls for a dissolution.

In his address to the red crowds, Thaksin said Mr Abhisit would disperse the red shirts if the number of the demonstrators dwindled due to the hot weather.

News item courtesy of www.bangkokpost.com