Thailand's security authorities worried about 3rd party in anti-gov't rally

BANGKOK, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Thai Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) is worried that a third party may use a mass anti-government rally, planned for Saturday, to stir unrest, ISOC spokesman Ditaporn Sasamit said on Thursday.

The mass rally, organized by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) or the red-shirted group, is aimed to topple the coalition government.

Hence, the weekly cabinet meeting on Tuesday agreed to impose the Internal Security Act (ISA) at Dusit district in the center of the capital Bangkok from Sept. 18 to 22 in a bid to ensure law and order during the UDD rally.

"We are not worried about the protesters, but we are concerned about those using the situation for their own benefit," ISOC spokesman said in a local radio interview earlier in the morning, the website by Bangkok Post reported.

Ditaporn, however, said it is impossible to identify who the third party is, but believed they are those who are not happy with the operations of a group.

But, he predicted it should not lead to violence.

The ISOC is going to meet in the afternoon to discuss security steps.

"Problems will not happen if the protesters follow the law," he added.

The UDD protesters will start gathering at the Royal Plaza in Dusit district prior to marching to the Si Sao Thewes residence of the president of the Privy Council, General Prem Tinsulanonda.

The protest is also to mark the third anniversary of the Sept. 19 2006 military coup, which brought down former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra from power, who has been perceived as the real leader of the UDD people.