Security tightened ahead of Thaksin case verdict in Thailand

Thai government authorities have strengthened security measures at Thailand's Supreme Court just nine days before the verdict of deposed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's asset case, Thai media reported Tuesday.

As the Supreme Court Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions is going to deliver a verdict on Feb. 26 regarding whether to seize Thaksin's 76.6 billion baht (2.3 billion U.S. dollars) in frozen assets, which were accumulated illegally when he was prime minister, threat against the judges and the court has increased recently.

On Sunday, a C-4 bomb was found in the court compound and was demolished by police bomb squad. The bomb was powerful enough to destroy the whole building, police said.

People from outside are forbidden to walk through the front gate area and each vehicle wishing to enter the area must be checked for suspicious items, the INN news agency quoted security staff at the court as saying. Police have set up a fence surrounding the court with steel panel to prevent anyone from walking close the compound, the INN said.

In related development, the pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) announced Tuesday that it will not organize a rally on Feb. 26.

However, if people want to go to the court hear the verdict, it is their right to do so and UDD leaders can't stop them, Veera Musikhapong, a UDD core leader told a press conference.

On the government side, Deputy Prime Minister for security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban said early Tuesday that although the UDD will not hold a rally on Feb. 26, the government will not neglect the tense situation.

- Asian Tribune -