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PAD leaders vowed to lay siege to Parliament today in a bid to prevent MPs and senators from convening a session.

On October 7, PAD protesters attempted to march and besiege Parliament but were blocked by the police, resulting in violent clashes.

As of yesterday evening, more than 1,000 policemen have already been positioned in and around Parliament. Iron barricades have also been set up on the adjacent Uthong Nai Road.

Moreover, up to 15 large fire trucks have been parked in the neighbourhood.

"If the situation goes out of control, the water cannons from the fire trucks will be used to disperse the crowd," an informed source said.

It added that plainclothes police officers, both male and female, had also mingled with the protesters to gather intelligence.

"They will do their best to prevent anyone from breaking into Parliament," the same source added.

According to the source, troops from the armed forces are also on standby. If violence breaks out, the troops would be able to respond within 15 minutes.

However, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lt-General Suchat Muankaew insisted the police would exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the unarmed protesters.

"We will be tolerant of the PAD protesters as long as their actions are not against the law," he said.

He was speaking after attending a meeting to assess the situation with caretaker Prime Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul and other high-ranking officials.

Government Spokesman Nattawut Saikua said police would be mainly responsible for controlling the situation if PAD protesters attempted to lay siege to Parliament.

"Security officials will not clash with protesters, but will do their best to maintain peace," he said.

THE NATION