Thai gov't may declare state of emergency if anti-gov't rally turns violent: Dep

BANGKOK, June 26 -- The government would declare a state of emergency if a mass anti-government rally led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Saturday turns violent, Thai media quoted Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban as saying here on Friday.

The anti-government protestors, who are led by the UDD group, or the red-shirted people, plan to stage the mass rally at Sanam Luang in the center of capital Bangkok from late Saturday afternoon.

"I have already drafted the declaration. It can be immediately announced if the red-shirted rally gets out of control," Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs, was quoted by the Bangkok Post's website as saying.

Suthep said he has authorized police chief Pol Ben Phatcharawat Wongsuwan to oversee the situation as he and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva have overseas visits.

Speaking from China's capital Beijing, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the UDD supporters have rights to protest, but they must stay within the law.

Abhisit, meanwhile, questioned reasons behind the planned rally, saying his government was democratically elected and had formed a committee comprising MPs from all political parties to scrutinize plans for political reform.

Abhisit is now on the second day of his four-day visit to China, while Suthep is to depart to Cambodia on Saturday to clarify to Cambodian Premier Hun Sen about Thailand's opposition to the UNESCO 's listing of the ancient temple -- Preah Vihear.

Suthep said he directs police to deal with the protestors with international standards, but the law must be strictly enforced.

Bangkok police chief Worapong Chiewpreecha said he believes the UDD-led protest will not turn violent since the group leaders have vowed to confine the protest at Sanam Luang.

As Pol Lt-Gen Worapong expects 25,000 to 50,000 red-shirted supporters would show up at the rally, he said police are ready if the protestors mobilize out of the rally site.

In a related development, army chief Gen. Anupong Paojinda said he is confident the anti-government rally would be peaceful since people do understand that the country is now facing the economic crisis and they would therefore refrain from worsening the situation.

However, Gen. Anupong said the military is ready to help ensure peace and order if requested by police, who are duty-bounded to control the rally situation.