Before the meeting, Cabinet secretary-general Borwornsak Uwanno said the session would go ahead as it was still possible to enter the compound and ministers trusted the People's Alliance for Democracy promise that protesters would not try to confine them.

Ministers, however, had prepared a contingency plan with four alternative meeting venues if needed, he said.

The only ministers who did not attend yesterday's meeting were those accompanying the prime minister on the campaign trail in the Northeast - Natural Resources Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat, PM's Office Minister Newin Chidchob and Deputy Interior Minister Sermsak Pongpanit. Borwornsak denied a rumour that Thaksin planned to take a long sick leave.

PM's secretary-general Prommin Lertsuridej said Thaksin was working in Ubon Ratchathani even though he had caught a fever on Monday.

Prommin said he had asked the protesters to watch out in case an outside group tries to stir up trouble, because there had been numerous explosions during demonstrations over the past few months.

The alliance organisers had promised the demonstration would not be violent.

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya said he believed the demonstration would be peaceful and wouldn't violate the Constitution. However, the alliance must ensure protesters do not break into the compound and police officers must be patient and tolerant if any provocation occurs, Chidchai said.

Some 600 officers were providing security, not 1,000 as previously reported, he said. Other officers were providing security outside Government House and more could be moved into the area if necessary, he said.

Only 2-3 per cent of the staff at the main offices of Government House took leave yesterday, officials said. Food vendors in the area, however, complained that business plummeted yesterday.