BANGKOK, March 13, 2010 (Xinhua) --

Thousands of the anti-government protestors from several provinces, particularly from the North East region, have arrived at the main rally site at the Pan Fah Bridge from Saturday afternoon.

The Pan Fah Bridge is located on Ratchadamnoen Road in the center of Thailand's capital Bangkok as the UDD political demand includes resignation of the coalition government or the House dissolution paving the way for a new general election.

Joint police and military personnel have been strictly safeguarding Ratchadamnoen Road as a stage and tents have been set up along the road by the UDD demonstrators, the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) under the state-owned Public Relations Department, reported.

Earlier in the morning Police Major General Tanapol Sontade, commandant of the 191 observation and special operation, led a bomb detection and disposal squad to examine the area on the Pan Fah Bridge.

Police Major General Tanapol said his team would also pass on the inspection task to the UDD people when they arrive at the bridge.

Thai gov't warns of ill-intended people during mass rally

BANGKOK, March 13, 2010 (Xinhua) --

Thai security personnel are instructed to be careful of ill-intended people who are reportedly to incite violence during a mass rally, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Saturday.

No violence has been reported as of 3 p.m. at the rally sites across the country.

The ill-intended people, or the "third party" termed by the local media, are reportedly to dress like soldiers or policemen, and get blended in the anti-government protestors to incite violence during the mass rally, Thai News Agency reported.

On March 5, Abhisit said it is believed that the majority of the anti-government group will constitutionally protest, but only some people among the majority of the protestors want violence to achieve their goal, which is not democratic.

Hence, the general public should report any irregularity to security officers as the mass rally is going on in capital Bangkok, the prime minister said.

His statement was made as more anti-government protestors are gathering at Bangkok.

Thailand's weekly cabinet on Tuesday decided to impose the Internal Security Act (ISA) in eight provinces during March 11-23 to ensure law and order during the rally by the anti-government United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) group.

Of the total eight provinces, the ISA imposition has been enforced in the whole area of capital Bangkok and Nonthaburi, which is next to Bangkok, while it is imposed in some 21 districts of the six other provinces nearby Bangkok, including Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Pathom, and Ayutthaya.

Under the ISA law's enforcement, there are 50,000 security men, who will maintain security during the mass rally.

Editor: Han Jingjing

Thai gov't confident to control rally situation: Deputy PM

BANGKOK, March 13, 2010 (Xinhua) --

The government is confident to able to control the rally situation as security men have been fully careful of maintaining security, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban said Saturday.

Overall, by 16.00 p.m., local time, the rally situation was still in a peaceful manner.

Suthep's statement was made as the anti-government protestors are increasingly arriving in Bangkok, the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT) under the state-owned Public Relations Department reported.

Security operations have focused on searching for news concerning the protestors' movements, while a number of security staff at check points is increased for efficiency in examining irregularity to prevent violence from occurring, Suthep said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and deputy Suthep on Saturday morning attended a meeting to evaluate the rally situation at the peace-keeping operations command at the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bangkhen located Bangkok.

The meeting, which was held at 9 a.m., local time, was attended by Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, Prime Minister's Secretary-General Korbsak Sabhavasu, Army Commander-in-Chief General Anupong Paochinda, Deputy Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, and Army Chief-of-Staff General Phirun Paewpolsong as well as First Army Area Commander Lt General Khanit Saphitak.

The meeting has agreed to have a daily review of the rally situation, Suthep said.

Meanwhile, according to a separate report by the National News Bureau of Thailand reinforcements are likely in Bangkok amid the continued rally by the anti-government group.

Thailand's weekly cabinet Tuesday decided to impose the Internal Security Act (ISA) in eight provinces during March 11-23 to ensure law and order during the rally by the anti-government United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) group.

Of the total eight provinces, the ISA imposition has been enforced in the whole area of Bangkok and Nonthaburi, which is next to Bangkok, while it is imposed in some 21 districts of the six other provinces nearby Bangkok, including Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Pathom, and Ayutthaya.

Under the ISA law's enforcement, about 50,000 security men have been assigned to maintain peace and order during the mass rally.

Editor: Han Jingjing