Hundreds of Move Forward Party supporters yesterday gathered at a pre-designated spot near parliament to show support for MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat during yesterday’s prime ministerial vote.
The gathering area can accommodate up to about 300 people at a time, said Rujira Arin, chief of the Dusit District office.
The 710-square-metre area, set one lane of a road and some walkways of the Kiak Kai government centre, was designated by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) for MFP supporters, said deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek.
The Kiak Kai government centre is situated across the parliament complex.
Amarat Chokepamitkul, member of the MFP’s board, was seen at the gathering to observe yesterday’s vote.
The BMA also worked with the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) to ensure law and order, Ms Rachada said.
In addition, the MBP had issued an order prohibiting public gatherings within a 50-metre radius of the parliament complex, effective from 6am on Wednesday to midnight tomorrow, said Ms Rachada.
The order was signed by the MPB chief, under the 2015 Public Gatherings Act, she said.
She said traffic in the area was being rerouted to accommodate the gathering of MFP supporters, while a number of police officers were deployed in the area.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o- cha was well aware of people’s right to express their political views and observe the parliamentary process, she said.
The PM also called on MFP supporters to obey the law and refrain from vilence and conflict and emphasised the need for security officials to follow crowd control rules based on international standards, she said.
At about 3pm before the vote in parliament started, a male teenager was seen causing a commotion at the designated rally area.
The teen, seemingly an MFP supporter, smashed a poster erected in the gathering area, prompting a man to assault him.
In the end, the teen was rescued by Ngoentra Khamsaen ,44, who said what happened was a misunderstanding.