Thai caretaker gov't ready for mass rallies

Thai caretaker government can control the situation during two mass rallies expected to be staged by opponents and supporters of the government on April 5, Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Tuesday.

The Internal Security Act (ISA), now imposed in the capital Bangkok and surrounding areas, will be adequate for the government to monitor the situation and prevent confrontation, Surapong, also Foreign Minister, said amid fear for possible violence.

Anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban earlier announced a major gathering of protest leaders on April 5 to work out their next move.

The Aksa Road in Bangkok will likely be the rally site for the pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship ( UDD), also known as "red shirts," chairman of the UDD Jatuporn Prompan said Tuesday.

The government-run Centre for the Administration for Peace and Order (CAPO), which enforces the ISA, expects at least 100,000 " red shirt" members to join the upcoming rally, said deputy government spokesperson Sunisa Lertpakawat. But Jatuporn predicted that up to 500,000 people would show up.

The army is obliged to protect all groups of people, army chief Prayuth Chanocha said Tuesday, adding that he believed the rallies would not cause problems.