Rally must be peaceful, PM tells PAD

"The people will be the judge on who the trouble-makers are," he said pointing an accusing finger at the People's Alliance for Democracy for disturbing social peace.

Samak said the government would remain tolerant to the opposition movement as long as protesters stayed within the legal limits.

He urged the media not to hype up PAD-led street protests, saying that lopsided reporting would only worsen public confusion.

In spite of the mass rally, he expected the weekly Cabinet meeting to take place and the government to function as usual.

Police have been under a strict instruction to keep peace at the rally site near Makawan Rangsak Bridge, police deputy spokesman Lt General Suraphol Thuanthong said.

"Security at the rally site will be beefed up and anti-riot police units will do their job with utmost restraint in order to avoid any eruption of violence," he said.

Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt General Aswin Kwanmuang said he expected protest organisers to keep the rally peaceful.

"I don't think the crowds will turn unruly and police will not obstruct peaceful activities of the protesters," he said.

Crowds at the rally site are expected today to surge to more than 100,000.

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart warned the PAD that it might have gone overboard in trying to bring about the downfall of the elected government.

He voiced concern that as the PAD was relying on non-parliamentary means to oust the government, this might provide the pretext for a coup.

He called on PAD leaders to work with Parliament if they wanted to grill certain office holders or to expose flaws in the government.

Protesters from upcountry began travelling to the rally site on Sunday. Thousands from Khon Kaen and Si Sa Ket arrived in the capital yesterday.

The majority of protesters travelled in small groups in order to avoid alerting police at various checkpoints on the main roads.

Some 3,000 protesters who declared themselves royalists from Chiang Mai joined the rally and vowed to continue on until the government falls.

A security source at Government House said the number of police dispatched to guard the site would be less than the last time around.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said top authorities agreed that more police on the ground did not necessarily mean stronger defence.

"We will keep our eyes on the movement and make necessary adjustments as events develop," he said.

Today's stand-off between the PAD and police will be a symbolic show of force against the government.

The last big rally, in June, saw the PAD break through the police barricade but protesters did not enter the compound. But it is not clear if the PAD will seek to "up the ante" today and take over the compound to prevent Cabinet from meeting.

"If the protesters seize Government House before the weekly Cabinet meeting, it would not be a major problem for us," a security official said.

"But if they seize the compound after the ministers start their meeting, we might have to use force to remove them from the compound."

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva voiced concern yesterday about non-parliamentary moves to bring down the government. He said such action could harm the political system in the long run.

"All parties concerned should mind their role within society, respect the law and think about the country's future," he said in reference to the PAD rally.

Abhisit called on police and Interior officials to ensure the rally does not get unruly and spiral out of control.

He reminded Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to honour his pledge to the King that the government will do everything in its power to ensure peace and forge reconciliation with its opponents.

He also urged the PAD not to resort to provocation, such as trying to lay siege to Government House or Parliament.