(15 January) The police have distributed bottles of water to anti-government protesters who staged a rally in front of the headquarters of Royal Thai Police today.
The protesters cheered as Pol.Gen. Montri Yimyaem and his two deputies, Pol.Gen. Worata Kitwaree and Pol.Lt.Gen. Weerasak Thongsari, passed the water through the main gate, free of charge, on the particularly sunny day.
The move offers a brief reconciliation in the ongoing political crisis; previous clashes between police and protesters led by People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) have resulted in a number of deaths and injuries on both sides.
Mr. Chumphon Junsai, a core leader of the PCAD who was nearby, responded to the police′s friendly gesture by saying via loudspeaker that he wishes to see more policemen in uniform facilitating the needs of the protesters.
“We have no prejudice, and we are glad to see good policemen sincerely welcoming the people”, Mr. Chumphon stated on the stage.
Pol.Gen. Montri said he is delighted that the protesters had "visited" the police headquarters for several times already, and replied to Mr. Chumphon that the police is willing to assist the protesters, as long as they are demonstrating peacefully.
However, Pol.Gen. Montri expressed his worry that a "third hand" party might attempt to spark the violence and stir misunderstandings.
“The police cannot interfere with politics, but we have vowed to look after every citizen equally,” said Pol.Gen.Montri, “If there is anything we can do, we will.
In response to Pol.Gen. Montri′s remarks, many protesters cheered and blew their whistles, but Mr. Chumphon warned that the police must keep their words.
The PCAD leader insisted that he will continue to criticise Pol.Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew, chief of the Royal Thai Police, until he "stops acting like slave" to the government.
He also vowed to break the truce and storm into the police headquarters if the protesters ever spot a helicopter carrying Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra into the compound.
Mr. Chumphon then called for the protesters to disband their rally in front of the police headquarters, explaining that they had victoriously won their demand.
“The police admitted that we are good citizens, they removed the barrier lines." Mr. Chumphon "Now you all can rest, and wait for further [instruction] from Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of the PCAD”.
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