30,000 SECURITY FORCES GATHER FOR BIKE FOR DAD REHEARSAL

More than 30,000 police and armed forces officers will undertake a massive security rehearsal today ahead of Friday’s Bike for Dad event.

The rehearsal comes as police promised tighter security for major events in Bangkok until the end of the year, following a leaked memo from the Russian Federal Security Service asking Thai authorities to be on the lookout for Syrians with potential links to the Islamic State.

The memo asked authorities to watch 10 Syrians in Thailand thought to have links to the terrorist organisation, saying they could target Russian interests in the country in areas such as Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket.

Authorities maintained yesterday there is no specific threat, particularly from IS, in the country.

National police chief Chakthip Chaijinda said security will be tight for a series of events between now and the new year, with the first major test on Friday during the Bike for Dad event.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will lead 99,999 people in a 29km ride along Bangkok’s streets.

On Dec 15 to 17, the royally sponsored cremation ceremony for the late Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara will be held. His coffin will be moved on Dec 16, ahead of the cremation, from Bowon Niwet Vihara to the crematorium at Wat Debsirindrawas.

Tight security measures will also be provided over the New Year period, authorities said.

A total of 1,120 border patrol police have been added to the security effort for the Bike for Dad event, said Pol Gen Chakthip, who yesterday accepted the hand-over of the force from the Border Patrol Division at Royal Plaza.

He said the border patrol officers will be working together with “home guards” from the civil sector in stepping up security surveillance and averting untoward incidents.

Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said extra precautions are being made to ensure public safety. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s traffic and transport office has been ordered to make sure security cameras are working while public transport system and hospitals under have been put on high alert, he said.

Gen Thawip Netniyom, secretarygeneral of the National Security Council, yesterday allayed concerns about unrest, saying authorities are doing their job.

He said police are monitoring activities of suspected groups.