Thai police brace for new pro-Thaksin protests

THAILAND: More than 3,000 Thai police moved into position Sunday to prevent a replay of mass demonstrations that virtually paralyzed the government for months and climaxed with an eight-day seizure of the capital's airports, local media said.

This time, it was supporters of exiled ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - instead of his opponents - who planned to take to the streets.

Thaksin's followers were planning to marshal enough demonstrators to block the new government from delivering its policy statement to the legislature early next week. The protest was scheduled to begin Sunday.

Police units were being dispatched to cordon off the Parliament building and a nearby field where the pro-Thaksin Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship was to gather, the Web site of The Nation newspaper said.

Police Maj. Gen. Amnuay Nimmano told reporters that those attempting to prevent the parliamentary session would be charged with insurrection but indicated police would use minimal force against demonstrators.

Police would distribute 40,000 leaflets urging the protesters to rally peacefully, the general said.

He said if the rally veered toward violence, its organizers must disperse the crowds while police would avoid any clash with the protesters.

Bangkok, Sunday, AP