Thai police arrested 587 people in coordinated raids across 25 provinces surrounding Bangkok on Tuesday morning, October 13, in an effort to create a secure outer ring around the capital while it hosts the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group.
Officers from Provincial Police Regions 1, 2 and 7 searched communities and areas flagged as high risk between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m., according to several news sources. Police Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwphan, an assistant commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, announced the results on Wednesday. He said the goal was to stop crimes that could disrupt the international gathering.
Region 2 made the most arrests. Officers in the eastern provinces of Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Trat, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Rayong and Sa Kaeo detained 289 suspects. They included 35 illegal immigrants and 18 people wanted on outstanding warrants.
Region 1 arrested 160 suspects in nine central provinces: Chai Nat, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Samut Prakan, Saraburi, Sing Buri and Ang Thong. Most of them, 126 in total, were held for drug use. Police there seized 2,753 methamphetamine pills along with amounts of crystal meth and ketamine. Three people were arrested for driving under the influence of narcotics and three more on firearms charges.
Region 7 accounted for the remaining 138 arrests across eight provinces: Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Suphan Buri and Samut Sakhon. Reports in Thai media said drugs, guns and explosives were seized across all three regions.
The raids took place in provinces outside Bangkok. Inside the city, the Metropolitan Police Bureau is handling security around the main venue and the hotels where delegates are staying.
The meetings run from October 12 to 18 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. They’ve drawn more than 15,000 participants from 191 countries, including finance ministers, central bank governors and business leaders. Talks this week cover the world economic outlook, financial stability, poverty reduction and job creation. Thailand last hosted the event in 1991.
Security will tighten again on Friday, October 16, when the Boards of Governors of both institutions hold their plenary session, one of the main events of the week. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has banned drone flights for the whole day, from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., across the restricted VT R1 Bangkok City airspace. The zone stretches about 19 kilometers in every direction from Victory Monument and runs from ground level up to 3,000 feet.
Drone operators who need to fly for work connected to the meetings must apply in advance and wait for approval from the aviation regulator. Everyone else has been told to keep their drones out of the zone that day.
Police have also banned public gatherings that block entrances or disrupt operations at the convention center, One Bangkok Forum, where official receptions are being held, and 22 hotels housing delegates. The order took effect on October 10 and stays in place until October 20.
For people living in Bangkok, the biggest impact is likely to be on the roads. Government offices in the capital are working from home through Thursday, October 15, and Friday has been declared a special holiday for government agencies and banks. Private companies have been asked to consider similar arrangements.
Police have advised drivers to avoid Sukhumvit, Rama IV, Witthayu, Ratchadaphisek and Duang Phitak roads where possible, since motorcades and vehicle checks are expected to slow traffic near the venue. Officers have said no general road closures are planned, though they’ve kept contingency powers to restrict traffic if protests or other security threats arise.
About 500 Tourist Police officers are also on duty around the venue, delegate hotels and tourist attractions, using patrols, undercover teams and drones. They’re coordinating motorcade escorts with roughly 39 embassies, according to several news sources.
The meetings end on Sunday, October 18. The ban on gatherings near meeting sites will stay in force for two more days after that.
