Boonlert Ruangtim, from Phitsanulok, lets blood run from his forearm after deliberately cutting himself during a demonstration by about 200 people at Democracy Monument yesterday to call for and end to the political conflict. Beside Boonlert is a statue o

But police would mainly target core members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and would likely impose only a Bt500 fine on them. The officer predicted that the gathering at Siam Paragon would cause heavy traffic congestion throughout Bangkok.

PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul said a stage would be set up on Rama I Road in front of Wat Pathumnaram, to the east of Siam Paragon. The stage would face west in the direction of the National Stadium. He said two traffic lanes out of the six inbound and outbound lanes would be open to traffic.

Chamlong Srimuang, another PAD leader, said Siam Paragon was chosen as a demonstration site because the PAD wanted to raise the awareness of Thai society about the current political situation. He claimed a march along Sukhumvit Road past the Emporium department store last Sunday was welcomed by bystanders.

The PAD demonstration will take a break on Saturday and Sunday to allow its members to exercise their rights in the election on Sunday, he added.

There will be a heavy police presence around Siam Paragon throughout the two-day period, with a 450-strong force stationed at each of the three temporary command posts that have been set-up in nearby areas for quick response in case of crowd problems.

Frisking would be randomly carried out at all six entries and three exits of the nearby elevated Tanayong Skytrain station and the four accesses into nearby Siam Square.

Pathum Wan district chief Surakiat Limcharoen, said all public garbage bins along Rama I Road would be temporarily moved away to prevent explosives from being hidden in them. A 60-strong municipal police force would assist police in maintaining order, with a back up 200 to be put on alert for quick mobilisation.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra instructed police and government agencies to collect evidence against members of the anti-government movement to use in criminal or civil lawsuits for any violation of law and personal rights of any individuals.

Thaksin, speaking through a video conference link from his home in Chiang Mai, said he thought the gathering in front of Siam Paragon was intended to provoke the government to disperse them by force in order to stop the April 2 election from materialising.