All government agencies nationwide were put on high security alert yesterday while the public was urged to cooperate in preventing further acts of urban terrorism as political turbulence was expected to last two months.

The Council for National Security (CNS) in a circular to ministries, courts and state enterprises urged officials to watch out for strangers or unidentified objects left abandoned in buildings and public places.

The agencies, including the ministries of finance, foreign affairs and public health, the Stock Exchange of Thailand and the Administrative Court, were told to inform their communities to prepare for possible threats to life and property.

During a press conference following Thursday's coup rumours, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said the public should prepare for more political violence after the New Year bomb blasts in the capital.

He said he believed the country would see political turmoil for the next two months.

The overthrow rumours may have been be part of a coordinated political attack, he said.

"The bombings on December 31 and the subsequent rumour of a second coup appear to have a link."

He had chaired a morning meeting at Government House with CNS chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin to assess the situation. CNS secretary Winai Phattiyakul also attended.

On Thursday night, the coup buzz persisted even though government and military leaders issued a series of statements denying a second putsch.

In a bid to quash future speculation, people should notify police or the Internal Security Operations Command about any provocation seemingly meant to undermine morale, Surayud said.

Authorities will keep the public informed about troop movements and step up publicity designed to foster understanding in society, he said, adding that security in the capital would remain on high alert for one or two months as a precaution against political violence.

Security measures are meant to deter further outbreaks of political violence, as authorities cannot anticipate every target of attack, he said.

Authorities will try to enforce safety with moderate measures in order to cause the least inconvenience to the public, he said.

"Public cooperation is the key to implementing security measures and boosting investor confidence," he said, adding that the local press could help by disseminating verified facts instead of spinning misinformation.

In an early-morning interview broadcast live on Army Channel 5, CNS chief Sonthi ruled out the possibility of a power seizure produced by rifts among the eight CNS members.

"We need unity in the Armed Forces. We believe in good ties and good spirit. I think there will be no coup," Sonthi said.

Public trust in the military-installed government has nosedived in the aftermath of the New Year's Eve bombings, according to the Abac Poll Research Centre.

Public Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla said he had ordered his staff and all hospitals nationwide to prepare their personnel and equipment for any emergency situations created by political upheaval.