Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas yesterday warned that the military would not tolerate any protests against the junta and the government that aimed to "shatter the peace" in the country. His comment came ahead of the PTV rally, which will be held at Sanam Luang today.

"I assume that whoever tries to cause trouble in the country is nothing else but a traitor," he said, adding that the PTV protesters intended to undermine harmony in the country.

"If we allow that to happen, it will badly affect all core institutions from the state, religion to the monarchy. The military will not tolerate the situation developing to that point," he said.

Boonrawd made his comment one day after the Thai Rak Thai Party announced it would launch a nationwide campaign against another possible coup, saying that its political analysts had found evidence that clearly supported the theory that one would take place soon. Apart from the PTV rally, Boonrawd noted that the government had sent officials into communities nationwide to track the movements of those opposed to it while explaining to local leaders the "real" situation concerning the current political turmoil.

In the meantime, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has decided to grant permission for the PTV rally to be held at Sanam Luang. However, Deputy Governor Wallop Suwandee said the rally should be peaceful and its organisers should be aware of possible intervention by provocateurs, which could lead to turbulence.

PTV executive Jatuporn Phormpan said his group would reveal evidence of corruption involving figures in the junta in projects at Suvarnabhumi Airport and in weapons purchases by the Army.

"It will be like a censure debate, in which the Council for National Security and the government need to clarify the allegations for the public," Jatuporn added.