Government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee yesterday called on people who are unhappy with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)'s rally in front of Siam Paragon shopping mall to make their views known.

Surapong said the condemnation would thwart the PAD's anti-Thaksin movement.

"You can make your stance known by sending your SMS comments to TV programmes or filing complaints with police," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya, who is also justice minister, said in a separate interview that he had received information that many people were uncomfortable with the PAD's rallies.

"We may have to look for an approach to disperse the mob, probably through legal prosecution," Chidchai said, but he insisted that the authorities would not resort to the use of force.

He said he had been informed that some demonstrators had removed metal barriers set up by police and refused to obey orders from the officers. Earlier in the day, Chidchai also said he personally felt PAD's choice of new rally site was too much to bear.

Surapong accused the PAD of ignoring pleas from broad sections of society that the protests at the new rally site near Siam Paragon would cause serious disruptions.

The massive rally, which started yesterday afternoon, prompted Siam Paragon and two other high-end shopping complexes, Siam Centre and Siam Discovery, to close temporarily.

"The closures are doing between Bt100 million and Bt300 million in economic damage a day," Surapong said.

He added that rallying at such a site also caused traffic problems and fuel wastage, adding this was an economic bomb that is devastating the lives of city people.

"Please don't think just about yourselves. Please enjoy your freedom of speech as prescribed by the Constitution - but never infringe on other people's rights," Surapong said.

He said the PAD should review its decision to assemble in such a busy shopping area, and particularly attacked Chamlong Srimuang, one of the PAD leaders, for mobilising people to Siam Paragon despite security warnings from various parties.

"Chamlong may deny any responsibility for the bloodshed in 1992. But this year, he won't be able to deny responsibility for what happens," Surapong said.

According to Surapong, three other PAD leaders were apparently not happy with Chamlong's choice of rally site because it was clear that so many people would suffer as a result.

Surapong also complained about Chamlong's plan to hold a rally in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district.

When asked about a solution to the ongoing problems, Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratklin called on all parties concerned to sit down and talk.

"Please realise that the country can't afford to let the situation worsen," he said.