Thai police protest over ‘too much restraint’

THAI police have staged a protest to show their frustration after weeks of dealing with aggressive and often violent antigovernment demonstrators, with officers saying that the order for them to show restraint has left them vulnerable and humiliated.

About 500 police, alongside family and friends, gathered in a public square near the main protest camp in Bangkok yesterday, four days after a policeman was shot dead in a battle with demonstrators who were trying to stop candidates from registering for February elections.

Police came to mourn the officer but also to complain that they were not properly equipped or organized to defend themselves.

“We come here today to say that we have remained patient to the utmost,” said police colonel Niwat Puenguthaisri, who led the gathering. “But we want to say that we have dignity and we want to protect that, too.”

The demonstrators are demanding the government of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra makes way for an appointed council to institute political reforms to eradicate corruption before any polls.

At least eight people have been killed in violence since the demonstrations began about two months ago. At the government’s orders, police have responded with relative restraint despite severe provocation.

Col Niwat said police were worried for their own safety because of lack of protective gear for many and poor riot control planning. Most officers are allowed to carry only batons and riot shields, while selected officers are equipped with tear gas canisters and guns to fire rubber bullets.

Orders to show restraint have resulted in police several times being trapped by demonstrators and forced to bargain for their release. Yesterday was a rare day of calm in Bangkok, though protesters continued to block candidate registrations.