Police & soldiers to be deployed in Bangkok to maintain order during an upcoming Parliament session

On 16 September 2008 government authorities in Bangkok announced that police officers and soldiers will be deployed throughout the city to maintain order during an upcoming Parliament session to elect a new prime minister. The Thai legislature is expected to elect Somchai Wongsawat, the brother-in-law of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as prime minister in a voting session on 17 September. Somchai, a leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), has been the interim prime minister since Samak Sundaravej was forced to step down last week. Security officials warned the public that more than 2,000 soldiers and police officers are being deployed to quell any civil unrest during the government session. Reports indicate that security forces outside the Parliament building will be armed with shields, while forces inside the building will be fully armed with anti-riot equipment. Meanwhile, 73 members of the PPP, who have been designated as the "Friends of Newin" group, have objected to their party's decision to nominate Somchai as the country's new prime minister. On 15 September Somchai's wife, who is also Thaksin's sister, warned the group that Somchai will dissolve the House of Representatives unless the 73 agree by 16 September to support the PPP nomination.