The march is to take place from Sanam Luang to the Si Sao Thewes residence of General Prem Tinsulanonda, the Privy Council president.

"The best way to restore normalcy is to revive the 1997 Constitution as the basis for an immediate general election," Weng said in yesterday's press conference to announce his rally. He said the Council for National Security (CNS) and the interim government should quit without any preconditions because "democracy should not be under a gun barrel".

Flying various banners, opponents of the junta plan today to stage protests as an act of defiance by timing their activities to coincide with the junta's public exhibition to raise awareness of morality and reconciliation along Rajdamnoen Avenue. First Army Region commander Lt-General Prayuth Chan-ocha said combined military and police forces would be deployed to keep peace and closely monitor the protests.

"I hope protesters will not try to disrupt peace," Prayuth said, reminding protest organisers not to try and provoke security forces.

He said law-abiding citizens should stay away from rally sites for their own safety instead of flocking as onlookers. He said junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin had issued an order on the military's preparedness to deal with any anti-coup activities. In regard to the planned march, he said organisers were obliged not to cause any inconveniences to motorists and people along the route. CNS spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnoed said he was confident the security forces could ensure safety for participants at the awareness exhibition organised by the CNS.  At 7pm today, Sonthi is expected to lead a televised pledge to uphold morality, he said, predicting a large turnout of crowds.