CHIANG MAI — Army officers stopped and searched cars traveling in former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's convoy through the northern province of Chiang Mai today.
Yingluck and her aides were headed to Chiang Mai for a religious service when their convoy was stopped at a security checkpoint.
The soldiers identified themselves as officers from the Third Region Army and asked to search all of the vehicles — except for Yingluck’s — for "security reasons."
Yingluck complied, and her motorcade was allowed to proceed shortly afterwards.
According to Lt.Gen. Sathit Pittarat, commander of the Third Region Army, the search was a part of his unit’s routine efforts to stem the narcotic trade and "any movements that may incite chaos."
The general insisted that soldiers at the checkpoint stop every vehicle that passes through, and did not target Yingluck specifically. He also explained that the military officers spared Yingluck's vehicle from the search because they "respected her dignity."
"We didn't touch the former Prime Minister's car at all," Lt.Gen. Sathit said. "I would like to also deny the reports that I sent soldiers to trail her. It's merely for maintaining security. When VIPs enter the area, we have to be responsible for their safety."
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