All eyes are now fixed on Sunday, when a rally at Sanam Luang is expected to take place - "to reclaim democracy" from the Council for National Security.

The momentum of this protest, which has been backed by several activist and vested interest groups, including remnants of the Thai Rak Thai, has been disrupted. So, it is now unclear if the gathering will carry as much political weight as initially appeared likely - or if it will it turn out to be a non-event.

Thepphanom Sirivithayarak and Chanaphat Na Nakhon, two men who have helped lead grassroots movements to support the Thaksin regime, have come out to discredit remnants of Thai Rak Thai for contributing to the "political undercurrents".

Chanaphat revealed that a network of people allegedly received money from Newin Chidchob, one of Thaksin Shinawatra's closest aides, to create political tension for the Surayud government. Newin has hit back with a lawsuit. Other senior Thai Rak Thai members such as Phadung Limcharoenrat, Phutham Wechayachai, Somchai Wongsawat and Thaksin have also felt repurcussions from Chanaphat's tell-all confession.

The December 10 Movement to discredit the military regime looks as though its resolve has been weakened.

Military intelligence officials have been closely following political developments, both open and underground, monitoring groups or individuals they suspect want to hit the Council for National Security and the Surayud government.

A week after the coup, between September 19 and 25, the military intelligence officers identified three groups as playing key roles in bids to undermine the coup makers.

The first group consisted of leftists and non-government-organisation (NGO) activists, who oppose the revered institution. The second group was made up of the Sept 19 Network against the Military Coup and Students' Activity News Centre, led by Chotisak Onsung. The third group included remnants of the Thai Rak Thai Party, plus some pro-democracy activists.

Military intelligence reports have said that these three groups have broadened their allies in the 10 weeks since the coup. The leftists and NGO activists have brought in academics linked to the October 6, 1979 tragedy. They have been attacking the CNS in seminars at various institutions and via their websites.

The leftist and NGO group has reportedly been working closely with former TRT heavyweight Phumtham, since the beginning of this year. It is well-organised, has an ideology and foreign network support. The military is paying closest attention to this group.

The September 19 Network against the Military Coup has been making political moves without mass support. Chulalongkorn University lecturer Ji Ungphakorn has been identified as part of this group in the military report, but Ji told The Nation this week he had nothing to do with it. Remnants of the Thai Rak Thai have sought to infiltrate this group, reportedly in a bid to instigate violence, but this has created conflict among the members.

Former Thai Rak Thai members have diversified into different movements. One of them is linked to Chanaphat, who used to work with well-known socialist Prasert Sapsunthorn. He works closely with Suchart Nakbangsai.

They report to Newin, and there are concerns that members of this group have a tendency to use violence. This has led Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the army chief, to invite Chanaphat for a chat. Chanaphat came away with a promise that he would not lead any political rally. But on November 23, he reversed his stance by declaring that he would hold a rally on December 10.

Another group to watch is a "Club of Saturday lovers, Say No to Dictatorship", which has Vithoon Viphuthalaeng as a key leader. He is reporting to Sitha Thivaree, a key Thai Rak Thai person. Vithoon has separated from Chanaphat due to logistical conflicts.

The final group is called "White Dove 2006 - Reclaiming Democracy", and has Nopharuj Vorachitvuthikul as its leader. He has been worked with the Thaksin regime's network all along. Nopharuj led a rally to support the former PM during his asset concealment case five years ago. He also rallied against the People's Alliance for Democracy, which had moved to oust Thaksin early this year.

Nopharuj has separated himself from Chanaphat. He is now works under an umbrella with Je Tim Bobe, a key canvasser for Sudarat Keyuraphan, one of Thai Rak Thai's key players.

These are the political "subversives" that the Council for National Security is watching closely. Whether they have the capacity to make political waves remains to be seen.

But for now, everybody is watching their steps.

The Political Desk