At 13:00 hrs. Mr.Tharit Pengdit, Director-General, the Department of Special Investigations, briefed the press on the outcome of the meeting of the Center For Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) earlier in the day, gist as follows:

1. Following the clash between anti-government protesters and police yesterday at Phan Faa Lilat intersection, leaving 5 people dead and 68 wounded, the CMPO wished to express its sorrow for those who lost their lives and affected by the confrontation. The CMPO wished to condemn the unidentified forces who used firearms, pistols, grenades and M79 grenade launchers as well as tear gas to attack the police. This attempt has shown that the core-PDRC leaders intended to allow its security guards at the protest sites to be equipped with deadly weapons. The CMPO wished to reaffirm that the police force is purposely for crowd control and was equipped with batons, shields and airguns. The police force also needed a special support unit to assist in case it was attacked by deadly weapons. During the incidents yesterday, the special support unit did not use any firearms.The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) also used this opportunity to distort the facts of the incidents. Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban used edited and misleading graphics to accuse the police of using weapons to attack the protesters. Meanwhile, the foreign press, including CNN and the BBC, presented the news with accurate and candid information. Mr. Eakanat Phrompan, the PDRC’s spokesperson, later apologized to the media for having sent an inaccurate script to Mr. Suthep.The CMPO was informed that during the incidents yesterday, a number of PDRC protesters obstructed the military medic team from providing assistance during the evacuation of casualties.

2. The CMPO has received a report from the Metropolitan Police and Provincial Police regional commands regarding the legal proceedings against the election obstructions. So far, there are 162 cases involving election obstructions, 170 cases involving the failure of electoral officers to perform their duties. 110 person already faced arrest warrants and 35 of which has been arrested.
 
3.  Five additional offices, namely Department of Consular Affairs, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Thailand Post Co.,Ltd., Department of Land Transport, and the Communications Authority of Thailand have reopened.  Currently, 53 government agencies have resumed their functions.