Speaking to the press, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thausuban, who is in charge of the security operation, said the deployed forces include 30,000 soldiers, 10,000 police and 10,000 civilian volunteers.

According to local media, the so-called “Red Shirt” force which supports former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced it would begin demonstrating from March 12.

”If protesters intrude into army bases or police stations, the government will use armed force to crack down immediately, as we consider them terrorists,” Deputy PM Thaugsuban said.

Checkpoints are being set up in and around Bangkok to search protesters for weapons as they arrive from other provinces, focusing on their strongholds in the rural north.

Earlier on March 9, at its weekly meeting, Thailand's cabinet decided to impose the Internal Security Act (ISA) from March 11-23 to ensure law and order during the mass anti-government rally. The act allows authorities to deploy troops on the streets during the rallies and to impose curfews and ban gatherings.

The “Red Shirt” force said they expect up to 600,000 people to attend the main rally but insist it will be peaceful. The Thai government, meanwhile, estimates that the demonstrations will draw up to 100,000 participants.