Michael Jackson, whom Elizabeth Taylor dubbed the "King of Pop," will be surrounded by security forces fit for a real monarch during a performance stop in Thailand that includes a sightseeing trip to the Royal Palace.
About 2,000 police officers and soldiers with guard dogs and metal detectors were getting ready for Jackson's weekend arrival, the Bangkok Post reported Saturday.Jackson kicks off his "Dangerous" world tour with concerts at the National Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday. The 40,000 tickets for each show - ranging from $20 to $100 - sold out within hours.
Police have assigned a special guard for the singer, who also has his own retinue of bodyguards. At the concerts, the soldiers and police will secure stadium entrances to prevent stampedes, the newspaper said.
Jackson is to tour Bangkok's golden-spired Royal Palace on Monday, but other details of the visit were being kept under wraps.