Thailand Red Shirts ready to protest

The Thai government has imposed tough security laws, giving the armed forces broad powers to control an expected mass rally in Bangkok by supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in the coming week.

Curfews are imposed, checkpoints are set up to restrict the demonstration in case it turns violent.

Panitan Wattanayagorn, Tahi Government Spokesman, said, "We are expecting to face a situation that will pose a threat to internal security. Thus we will impose the Internal Security Act in areas of Bangkok and another seven surrounding provinces."

The clampdown will run from March 11th to March 23rd.

Supporters of Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the so-called 'Red Shirts'. (AFP/File/Nicolas Asfouri)