Police heightened security in the Thai capital today, putting 20,000 officers on standby ahead of a mass rally planned by protesters seeking the resignation of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Organisers of the anti-Thaksin rally hoped as many as 100,000 people would camp through the night at a Bangkok park ahead of a march tomorrow morning to Thaksin's office at Government House, a few kilometers away.
Farmers, teachers and thousands of state employees opposed to Thaksin's rule are traveling to the capital to take part in the rally.
Metropolitan Police spokesman Col. Pinit Maneerat said police had received reports that Thaksin supporters were planning their own rally in Bangkok, raising the possibility of violence.
"Police are well prepared to keep peace and order," Pinit said. "We will do our best to prevent any confrontations."
Tomorrow's march to Government House was planned to coincide with Thaksin's weekly Cabinet meeting, though reports have said the prime minister might cancel the meeting or change its location.
Tens of thousands of protesters have been demanding Thaksin's resignation in regular weekend rallies, accusing the tycoon-turned-politician of corruption, mishandling a Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand, stifling the media, and allowing cronies to reap gains from state policies.
Protesters have come mainly from Bangkok's urban middle class, but Tuesday's rally was expected to draw a broader mix of Thai society.
AP