Thursday, August 20, 2009

Suthep warns police to stay clear of row

       Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban is vowing action against any police found involved in the latest clashes at Klong Toey market, after the row between developers and vendors flared again.
       Police should avoid taking sides in the dispute, Mr Suthep said.
       Fourteen people were injured in fighting on Wednesday, which flared after vendors denied access to cleaners sent by developers Legal Professional Co to clean the area. The firm sent in reinforcements, sparking clashes. Among the 14 hurt was a reporter for the Thai language newspaper,Daily News .The Port Authority of Thailand, which owns the land on which the market stands, has awarded a concession to Legal Professional to develop the site.
       The authority refused to renew the concession held by three former operators, which fuelled fears of eviction among the vendors to whom it leases space.
       The vendors will neither accept the new contract nor leave, which has led to a prolonged conflict.
       Mr Suthep said he would take action against any police responsible for security who was found to have been involved.
       He said he had asked police repeatedly to prevent further clashes. If local police failed to keep the peace, they would be replaced, Mr Suthep said.
       Tha Rua police, in charge of the market area, are checking video footage to find those involved.
       Police guarding the area have also been boosted.

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