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BANGKOK - Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej warned on Friday that authorities in Bangkok would not tolerate protests aimed at disrupting the Beijing Olympic torch relay this weekend.
The torch, which was hit by demonstrations during early legs of the relay in Europe and the United States, arrived in the Thai capital from New Delhi on Friday at about 2:40am (1940 GMT Thursday).
It was quickly ferried to a plush hotel in downtown Bangkok, where it will remain until the 10.5-kilometre parade through Bangkok's Chinatown to a plaza near the Royal Palace on Saturday.
"I have instructed the authorities to implement decisive measures (against disruptive protesters). Thailand must act responsibly," Samak said. "I appreciate the comments from the person who said that if visiting foreigners cause trouble here, they will be deported."
National police spokesman Lieutenant General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit said Thursday that Thailand could revoke visas, prosecute and deport any overseas nationals breaking the law to protest China's human rights record.
Thousands of police and soldiers will guard the flame on Saturday, but the route through Bangkok looks set to go ahead unchanged.
"There is no reason to disturb the ceremony. This is purely a sporting issue. On Saturday, we will fulfil the 10-kilometre run," Samak said. He added that Thailand had no problem with peaceful, law-abiding protesters.
A coalition of Thai human rights and student groups is planning to display an alternative torch outside Bangkok's United Nations headquarters on Saturday, with organisers predicting a turnout of about 100.
"We're doing the usual stuff, chanting 'Free Tibet' and such," said Pokpong Lawansiri, Thai coordinator with the Free Tibet Network.
"It won't be as large as in some countries like the US. People's awareness of the issues in Tibet is somewhat low in Thailand, but hopefully somehow this will help." - AFP/ir
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