The government and the CNS, which came to power through the September 19 military coup that toppled the democratically elected Thaksin administration, have a duty to prove to the Thai public that, as self-appointed champions of democracy, they practise what they preach. Specifically, they must see to it that demonstrators are allowed to air their political views freely as long as they remain peaceful and stay within legal limits.

Let's not forget that the justifications provided by the coup-makers, who now serve on the CNS, for the overthrow of the Thaksin government included the previous government's anti-democratic tendencies. Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra stands accused of, among other things, subverting democracy and gross violation of civil liberties, including intimidation of critics. Both the CNS and the Surayud government have promised to rid the country's political system of corruption and restore full democracy to the people through a free and fair election by late next year.

It can be argued that ridding politics of corruption could also mean trying to demolish the political base of Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party, made up largely of members of the rural masses who remain fans of the former prime minister. Despite living in self-exile, Thaksin is believed to wield considerable power of patronage backed by his huge personal wealth.

That's why it is not inconceivable that many participants of the planned December 10 protest will either be those persuaded to join the anti-government rally to show their loyalty to Thaksin, who continues to be popular with rural people still enamoured with his populist policies, or those who are simply paid to do so.

Other would-be protesters are political activists who say they are genuinely opposed to the coup, which they describe as an unacceptable and illegitimate means to effect a change in government - under any circumstances. According to these people, there is no justification whatsoever to remove a democratically elected government - no matter how repressive or corrupt - by force. These protesters seem to genuinely believe in the supremacy of the ballot box, regardless of how the political system has been skewed, state bureaucracy cowed and electoral methods rigged in favour of the corruption-prone ruling party that had wielded virtually absolute power.

All protesters, irrespective of their motives or objectives, must be allowed to make their voices heard so long as their actions are peaceful and do not infringe on the rights of others. As a matter of principle, the CNS and the Surayud government must take it upon themselves to accommodate even their staunchest critics and to provide protection for the protesters as a precaution against potentially untoward incidents.

Although the Interior Ministry has already issued a warning to local administrative organisations countrywide, including tambon administrative organisations, to refrain from getting actively involved in organising or supporting Sunday's anti-government rally in Bangkok, the government should show as much restraint as possible. No ban on travel should be imposed on people from other provinces who want to take part in the peaceful demonstration.

The main concern of the government and the CNS should be to make sure the size of the anti-government demonstration is matched by their crowd-handling capability to provide adequate protection to protesters and to maintain law and order. Even though the government and the CNS - in the absence of a constitution - are supposed to exercise absolute power in governing the country during this transitional period, their ability and willingness to tolerate dissenting voices will go a long way towards convincing the general public of their strict adherence to the very democratic principles that they seek to promote.