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Thai security chiefs fear unrest Thaksin supporters rally over ban
(about 11 hours later)
Security officials have met in the Thai capital to discuss how to deal with possible unrest after a court ruling banning the former governing party. Supporters of Thailand's now outlawed Thai Rak Thai party have held protests in the capital Bangkok - but the rally was smaller than expected.
Supporters of Thai Rak Thai have threatened protests over the verdict, which also saw key party leaders barred from politics for five years. More than 1,000 demonstrators wearing yellow headbands called for an end to the military leadership that came to power after a coup last September.
Army chiefs said extra security had been introduced on top of measures put in place ahead of Wednesday's ruling. Security has been high since a court on Wednesday found Thai Rak Thai guilty of electoral violations last year.
The interim PM said he would impose a state of emergency if there was unrest. The party was banned and its leaders barred from politics for five years.
In a day of drama, a constitutional tribunal ruled on Wednesday that Thai Rak Thai was guilty of breaking electoral laws last year. The same court cleared the country's other main political party, the Democrats, of similar charges of election fraud.
Thai Rak Thai leaders condemned the outcome as unfair but have urged people to accept it.
The party's founder, Thaksin Shinawatra - who was prime minister until he was ousted in the coup - urged "everyone to stay calm and don't make any moves".
State of emergency
Hundreds of police - including bomb squad teams and police dogs - were deployed around Bangkok ahead of the demonstration.
Security officials had feared thousands of people could descend on the capital following Wednesday's verdict.
The ruling is a victory for democracy Ekasit Paosila, 74 Thai viewpoints
But it was a relatively small crowd that gathered in central Bangkok on Thursday afternoon to register their opposition to the post-coup leadership.
"Junta, get out!" cried the protesters, many of whom cheered when Mr Thaksin's name was shouted out.
Thai Rak Thai party official Veera Musigapong - who is among 111 leading party members including Mr Thaksin to be banned from politics for the next five years - was among the crowd.
"As someone who was personally affected, I am not accepting the decision of the tribunal which was set up by the coup leaders and their illegitimate power," he said.
Thailand's leaders had been braced for unrest this week, putting thousands of troops on stand-by and setting up checkpoints into and out of the capital.
It's an unexpected ruling and we are disappointed by the verdict - it's too harsh on Thai Rak Thai Ex-PM Thaksin ShinawatraIt's an unexpected ruling and we are disappointed by the verdict - it's too harsh on Thai Rak Thai Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra
Earlier, it cleared the country's other main political party, the Democrats, of similar charges. The measures were boosted following the verdict, and army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin said a few "hardcore" allies of Mr Thaksin were being specifically monitored.
Thai Rak Thai leaders have condemned the outcome as unfair but urged people to accept it. "Security measures have been stepped up since last night and will gradually be increased," he told the AFP news agency. "The measures will be in place for a long time".
The party's founder, Thaksin Shinawatra - who was prime minister until he was ousted in a coup last September - urged "everyone to stay calm and don't make any moves". Interim Prime Minister Surayud Chalanont had warned he would impose a state of emergency if violence broke out.
Popular support Growing disenchantment
Bangkok was reported to be relatively calm on Thursday, although there was a small protest against last year's coup. In a day of drama on Wednesday, a constitutional tribunal found Thai Rak Thai guilty of malpractice during the April 2006 electoral campaign.
Thousands of soldiers have been deployed in Bangkok Announcing their verdict in a heavily-guarded Bangkok courtroom, after hours of suspense, the panel of judges ruled that the party should be disbanded and its leaders banned from office.
Thousands of soldiers were put on alert earlier in the week in case of unrest, and army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin said further checkpoints and security measures were now in place.
A few "hardcore" allies of Mr Thaksin were being specifically monitored, he told the AFP news agency.
"Security measures have been stepped up since last night and will gradually be increased," he said. "The measures will be in place for a long time".
The panel of judges announced their verdict on Thai Rak Thai in a heavily-guarded courtroom in Bangkok on Wednesday, after hours of suspense.
HAVE YOUR SAY Thai courts are known to lack independence. It is sad that the great achievements of Thaksin are overlooked Robert, Chiangrai Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Thai courts are known to lack independence. It is sad that the great achievements of Thaksin are overlooked Robert, Chiangrai Send us your comments
They found the party guilty of malpractice during the April 2006 electional campaign, and ruled that it should be disbanded and more than 100 party officials, including Mr Thaksin, be barred from office. Earlier, they ruled that the Democrats - Thailand's oldest political party - had not maligned Thai Rak Thai in the same elections and would not have to disband.
Earlier, the same judges ruled that the Democrats - Thailand's oldest political party - had not maligned Thai Rak Thai in the same elections and would not have to disband. Following the malpractice allegations, the April 2006 elections were annulled. Prime Minister Thaksin was ousted by the coup a few months later.
Following the malpractice allegations, the April 2006 elections were annulled. Prime Minister Thaksin was ousted by a military coup a few months later. Despite allegations of corruption that surrounded Mr Thaksin during his time in office, both he and Thai Rak Thai still retain widespread popularity, especially in rural areas.
The BBC's Andrew Harding in Bangkok says the decision to punish the entire party is sure to provoke anger in Thailand. The military leadership has promised new elections and a constitution by the end of this year.
Thai Rak Thai still retains widespread popularity, especially in rural areas, and supporters of the charismatic Mr Thaksin are likely to be upset that he has been barred from politics for so long. But frustration with the interim government has been growing and the economy is struggling.