The protest is designed as a catalyst for political change to pave way for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to return home and fight the charges against him in the courts.

"PTV will organise its next rally right after the Songkran holiday by coordinating with other anti-coup groups to demand the return of democratic rule, and hopes to draw a bigger crowd for its May rally," PTV rally organiser Jatuporn Prompan said yesterday.

Jatuporn said the convergence of events in May and the following months could spell the end of military control.

These include the debate leading to the referendum on the new constitution, the court verdicts on two cases of electoral fraud punishable by party dissolution, and the litigation involving Thaksin and his family members, he said.

"From May onward, conditions will be ripe to sway the public to oppose the government and the Council for National Security," he said, adding that it was inevitable that Thaksin would end his exile in London in order to fight the charges against him in person.

"Thaksin's return will likely happen by mid-year, and before the general election," he said, referring to the polling day tentatively scheduled for December 16 or 23.

Jatuporn said the April PTV rally had the support of taxi drivers and students, particularly those from Ramkhamhaeng University, who would be core protesters. Other anti-coup protests coinciding with the PTV rally will be organised by leading campaigners such as the Saturday Anti-Coup Group, the September 19 Network and the Philap Khao Group, he said.

Demonstrators :Yongyuth says he's not behind rally

Former natural resources and environment minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat yesterday denied a news report that he was mobilising people in Laos for an anti-government rally.

Speaking by phone, Yongyuth said he had been living in the United States and studying for a doctoral degree.

He said the report, citing a national intelligence agency, that he was gathering people together to cross the border into Chiang Rai was groundless.  Either the source made up the story or the intelligence agency is very bad, he said.

"I haven't been following Thai politics and won't comment on it. I just want the country to be at peace … There is no danger of any move on my part, so no one should set up an enemy to make themselves look important. That will do the country no good. Thais shouldn't be set at each other's throats."

AEC's term of office :Graft-busters need more time

As Parliament's session on Thursday is scheduled to debate extending the Assets Examination Committee's term, graft-busters remain split on the need for more time to wrap up their investigations.

AEC members Sak Korsaengrueng and Jaruvan Maintaka have complained that issuing subpoenas and waiting for official records from agencies takes too long. "With five months remaining, the AEC might not be able to complete many crucial reports for the prosecution of offenders," Sak said.

AEC chairman Nam Yimyaem and two of his committee's members, Banjerd Singkhaneti and Udom Fuangfung, have refused to comment on grounds that they do not want to interfere with legislative proceedings.

Opponents of increasing the AEC's term include members Kaewsan Atibhodi, Amnuay Tantara and Klanarong Chantik.

The three claim that one year is sufficient to rule on all its 14 graft cases involving the ousted government and that yet-to-be-uncovered violations could be handled by the National Counter Corruption Commission under an enhanced mandate.