Thai Army Rolls Onto Phuket

[george]

Asean meetings: Thai Army rolls onto Phuket

Much of the military hardware arrived in Phuket

today atop flatbed trucks.

PHUKET: -- Troops and military hardware began arriving in Phuket today in preparation for the 42nd Asean Ministers Meetings at Laguna Phuket later this month.

The convoy of equipment, including flatbed trailers carrying armored vehicles, troop transport trucks and four-wheel drive vehicles, rolled onto the island over the Thao Thepkrasattri Bridge at about 3pm.

Military personnel waved on passing traffic after the convoy came to a halt along Thepkrasattri Rd at Mai Khao.

Navy, Army and Police will begin setting up security on Saturday.

The controversial Internal Security Act goes into effect across the island for 15 days starting tomorrow.

Phuket Governor Wichai Phriasa-ngop said the military presence would be limited to Thalang and that day-to-day activities of residents and tourists would not be affected.

-- Phuket Gazette 2009-07-09