Bangkok residents warned to stockpile food
‘Operation shutdown on today’
BANGKOK (AP) — More than 20,000 security forces will be deployed across the Thai capital today as antigovernment activists implement “operation shutdown” aimed at toppling the elected government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
As the United States embassy in Bangkok recommended residents stockpile two weeks of cash, food and water, army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha said he was concerned about the possibility of violent clashes and admitted he does not see a solution to end the country’s crisis.
But General Prayuth asked the media to stop asking him if the powerful military, which has intervened to overthrow governments in the past, plans to stage a coup.
“A coup is not a topic that we should be talking about every day ... I don’t know what the solution is but we soldiers will do our best to ensure safety for the people,” he said.
Earlier General Prayuth refused to rule out a coup.
Tens of thousands of protesters plan to erect huge stages and makeshift defensive structures at seven major intersections and then to march to key government offices where they plan to cut water and electricity supplies.
They have promised not to storm airports or public transport.
“Bring your clothes and food with you, because we will fight for months until we achieve victory,” protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban earlier told supporters.
Fears of more violence escalated on Saturday after seven people were wounded when motorcycle gunmen opened fire on anti-government protesters in Bangkok while rival groups clashed in several locations outside the city.