Thai gov't says mass rally not to trigger civil war

BANGKOK, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The Thai government has ruled out civil war and hoped there will be no clash between anti- government protestors and security forces, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban said Friday.

The demonstration organized by the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) started on Friday when the red-shirted supporters of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra are traveling to the capital Bangkok.

UDD protestors will stage their mass rally at Sanam Luang square in central Bangkok.

Suthep, who is at the peace-keeping operations command at the 11th Infantry Regiment headquarters in Bangkok to oversee the protest, assured the public not to be panic.

Suthep said the government will arrest UDD core leaders if they incite violence during the mass rally.

His statement was in response to the UDD's threat to take strong steps on Monday if the Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva does not dissolve the lower house of parliament on Sunday.

Thailand's weekly cabinet meeting decided Tuesday to enforce the Internal Security Act (ISA) in and around Bangkok on March 11- 23 with the deployment of 50,000-strong security forces to ensure law and order during the mass rally.