Security tight in Thai leg of torch relay

Thailand’s leg of the Olympic torch run got off to a peaceful start today, as thousands of flag-waving supporters in Bangkok’s Chinatown celebrated while a lone protester stood nearby.

From a stage by a large red Chinese-style gate, Thai dignitaries and the Chinese ambassador delivered brief speeches praising their countries’ ties as athletes stood holding the torch.

Many in the festive crowd of onlookers waved Chinese and Thai flags.

A sole dissenter, a Western woman, carried a picture of the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader. Some members of the crowd shouted “get out” but no violence broke out.

Protests over China’s crackdown on anti-government riots in Tibet have dogged the torch relay at various stops on its way to the Olympics’ opening ceremony in August in Beijing.

Security was tight in Bangkok but not overwhelming despite concerns about possible disruptions. Police mostly handled crowd control and directed traffic.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin was among the guests to briefly held the torch after it was lit.

He then passed it to a subordinate dressed in sportswear, Anant Siripasraporn, who began the run through the streets of the capital. Many onlookers followed on foot.

Thai authorities had beefed up security in Bangkok’s historic centre with 2,000 police and barricades to protect the Olympic torch from protesters along its 6-mile route. Hundreds of crowd control and security personnel were also expected to be deployed.

Bangkok Metropolitan Police Chief Asawin Kwanmuang said police will also ask officials to check buildings for anti-China signs or banners.

General Yuttasak Sasiprapha, president of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, said officials are especially concerned about protesters possibly emerging from small alleyways when the torch passes them.

Growing criticism of China’s human rights record has turned the Olympics into one of the most contentious in recent history.

Thai authorities had warned earlier that any foreign activists who tried to disrupt the relay would be deported.

On Friday, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej lashed out at potential protesters.

“Whoever tries to destroy the flame is crazy and unreasonable,” he told reporters. “Why would anyone protest in Thailand? Why don’t they protest in China?”

A coalition of human rights and other activist groups in Thailand said they would hold a peaceful protest outside the UN’s Asian headquarters, which is along the relay route in Bangkok.

“We want to show the Chinese government that the crackdown in Tibet did not spark outrage only in the Western world,” said Pokpong Lawansiri, co-ordinator of the Free Tibet Movement.

The protesters will be holding placards and mock coffins and distributing pamphlets, he said.

Eighty runners were to take part in the relay, expected to last two hours and 45 minutes.

A police helicopter was to follow overhead as the torch passes through the capital’s historic sites including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the ceremonial Grand Palace and the Chitralada Palace, the residence of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The torch was scheduled to leave for Malaysia tonight.