By Bernama,
Bangkok : The Thai authorities are stepping up security to cope any possible protests as the Olympic torch is expected to arrive in Thailand’s capital on Friday morning before embarking on the torch relay this Saturday.
The Olympic torch is expected to arrive in Bangkok at 2am Friday local time (1900GMT Thursday), amid tightened security.
General Yutthasak Sasiprapha, President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT) invited the Thai public to participate as it will be the first time for Thailand to hold an Olympic torch relay.
“I want to invite Thai people to join me in welcoming and celebrating the 2008 Olympic Torch Relay in Thailand and to make sure the relay runs smoothly,” the general was quoted by the Thailand news agency (TNA) as saying here.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s daughter, is scheduled to preside over a welcoming ceremony for the relay, which will start in Chinatown, and pass the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Ministry of Defence, Chitralada Palace, and Government House, before ending at the Royal Plaza.
It has been reported that Thai activists and non-governmental organisations were preparing a protest in support of Tibet during the torch relay.
Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama commented Thai officials would not let any protester put out the Olympic torch.
He gave assurances that there would be maximum security during the ceremony and harsh punishment for law breakers.