He urged all sides to reconcile for the sake of HM the King's 80th birthday but fall short of calling for end to the public demonstration. Thaksin said he would like to see a general election be held as soon as possible.

9pm: Thaksin begins his speech to about 10,000 supporters at Sanam Luang, telling them that the freezing of his assets was aimed at destroy his power base and to send a message that he no longer has any money. He referred the attempt as a "political bully."

Reporters at the scene believed that the statement was pre-recorded as there were no question-answer between Thaksin and his supporters. Thaksin appeared to be in a good spirit, smiling and calm as he deliver his statement.

8. 30pm : Chatuporn Prompan, a keyman of the rally, tells the demonstrators at Sanam Luang that the government has tried to block live speech of Thaksin from London.

He claims Information, Communication and Technology Ministry spent all day Friday to find ways to block all channels; cyberspace, satellite and others.

He ensures the cheering audience that they will be able to listen to Thaksin's televised speech as his team has prepared backup plans in case the government blocked the signals.

8.20pm : News reports from Sanam Luang say the absence of mobile satellite unit to receive the live speech of Thaksin from London have many here believing that a pre-recorded version will be played instead. 

7.30pm : Keymen of now-defunct Thai Rak Thai are seen travelling out of the country, immigration source said.

Family of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra; Khunying Pojaman and two of her children; and Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, left for Singapore.

Newin Chidchob and Dr Prommin Lertsuridej leave for Hong Kong but by different flights.

7.13pm : Chatuporn Prompan, a keyman of the rally say that Thaksin has responded to some reports that the Thai government may try to block the signals of his speech from London by recording his speech. But the government does not do so, Thaksin will speak live from his exiled residence.

7pm : Staffs at the Manager Media group are told to leave early as a rumor spreading that angry anti-junta protestors gathering at Sanam Luang may move and attack the group's headquarter at Phra-Athit Road which locates few kilometers nearby.

The Manager's founder Sondhi Limthongkul lead street protest last year to oust Thaksin Shinawatra before the military staged the coup in September.

A high ranking military officer tips the Manager's executives that the angry mob would storm the office shortly after they listen to televised speech from Thaksin.

The Manager's headquarter is seen in defensive mode as both compound on the Phra-Athit Road and on the Chao Phraya River bank were surrounded by nets to prevent throwing stuff. Security guards at the office have been tightened for days since the protest erupted.

5.30pm : Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin warned he might consider dissolving motorcycle taxi stand whose taxi riders join the anti-coup protest and create violence.

If taxi riders joined the protest and created violence, the BMA - whose authority includes issuing permit for motorcycle taxi stands - might revoke the permit and proceed with legal actions against wrongdoers, he said.

5pm : Apirak said that in preparation for the mass rallies from June 15 to 17, to be held outside the Army headquarters, he urged BMA executives and district directors to work with police in risky areas.

He also asked officials to inform local residents and taxi riders about the situation and suggested residents and riders not to join the protest, as violence might occur.

4.45pm : Bangkok Governor Apirak said his office also set up a centre at the City Hall's fifth floor to monitor the protest situation around the clock, he said. The BMA is also cooperating with city police in dispatching municipality officials, firemen and water trucks, to "accommodate" the protesters.

3pm : Pro-Thaksin demonstrators plan to "stage" a self-immolation in front the headquarters Council for National security or Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, according to informed intelligence sources.

The sources told The Nation that this plan was mapped out to impress the media, both local and abroad, which will cover the demonstration this weekend.

"Whoever wants to burn himself will cover himself with wax to protect his body to escape immediate harms," said an intelligence source who is familiar with the tactics. The tactic was used during the Chatichai government from 1988-1990. For them, it is a show, nobody wants to die," the source said.

2pm : Security has been beefed up at state agencies located near the planned route of a march by anti-junta demonstrators this weekend for fear that a third party could create trouble.

1.30pm : The military has suggested government officials working in public agencies along Rajadamnoen Avenue not to stay on at their offices after work yesterday evening and to avoid working there this weekend.

The government agencies located in the Rajadamnoen vicinity include the ministries of Transport, Agriculture, Education and Tourism and Sports, as well as the Parliament.

11.50am : Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said his government has braced for every contingency, including a state of emergency if deemed necessary, due to concerns over the anti-junta rally that will showcase the appearance of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra via teleconference.

"Authorities will work with utmost effort to ensure peace during protests planned for this weekend," Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Friday following a high-level security meeting.

Participants of the meeting included junta chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, acting national police chief General Seripisut Temiyavej and National Intelligence Agency directorgeneral Sirachai Chotirat.

Surayud said antiriot forces would not be armed so as to prevent any "accident" that could inflame the situation.

11.30am : Six heavily armed soldiers were sent to guard the Ministry of Interior, which is located near Sanam Luang. The Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, which sympathises with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, plans to hold a protest march from Sanam Luang to the Army headquarters.

10.15am : The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) sent a circular letter to state officials who work in the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) building not to enter the office until Monday to avoid any potential violence.

Even though the DSI building is located on Prachacheun Road - and far from the rally at Sanam Luang, and the NLA are concerned agitators may destroy assets in the building.

9.30am : The Government Lottery Office (GLO) has moved the lottery-drawing machines to the department of Public Relations on Rama VI as a precaution. The GLO was scheduled to draw the lottery on Friday.

The GLO organises the lottery draw on every 1st and 16th day of a month.