People’s Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul, sitting alongside PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila and fellow leader Chamlong Srimuang, declares the group will rally in Bangkok tomorrow.

Supporters and opponents of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra were set for another round of dangerous confrontations yesterday as they announced plans to campaign for their causes.

Leaders of the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) yesterday insisted they would begin a mass rally tomorrow at the Royal Plaza and would continue its protest until it could "defeat Thaksin".

Suriyasai Katasila, co-ordinator of the PAD, said the new street protest was aimed at pressuring Thaksin to make it clear whether he will take a break from politics.

"By failing to make it clear about his political future, Thaksin is holding 63 million Thais hostage," he said at a press conference.

PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul told the press conference that the PAD decided to hold a mass rally again to force Thaksin to leave politics immediately. "We will hold a rally every day until he leaves the country," said Sondhi.

Provincial groups allied with the PAD yesterday said they would focus their effort on the Bangkok rally while public protests planned for Chiang Mai and Buri Ram would be put on hold.

Meanwhile, Thai Rak Thai politicians were preparing to launch a signature campaign in 19 northeastern provinces in support of Thaksin becoming prime minister for another term.

Surachat Chamansil, former party MP for Udon Thani, said yesterday that Thai Rak Thai politicians would campaign with party members in the northeast.

"Most northeastern residents are aware about the PM's uneasiness in facing pressure from the opposition and the PAD," he said.

Pro-Thaksin groups in Udon Thani will hold a rally in the northeastern province this Saturday, where as many as 100,000 people are expected to join, said Sompong Chan-ngam, one of the group leaders.

In the run-up to the April 2 general election, later declared void by courts, the PAD and Thaksin supporters held separate rallies in Bangkok.

In a related development, the Thai Rak Thai Party yesterday demanded the Election Commission put a stop to a campaign by the People's Alliance for Democracy claiming it was in violation of human rights to seek a ban on caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returning to the country.

Kuthep Saikrachang, a Thai Rak Thai legal specialist, said he and the party's legal team would file a complaint with the EC today demanding a probe into the violation by PAD members.

"Although the PAD claims that it is backed by constitutional right, its actions must not violate the rights of others. Surely it is a human rights violation to campaign against the return of Thaksin," he said.

Kuthep said the PAD was also trying to arrange a boycott of the election and was carrying out political activities as an illegal party. Thai Rak Thai would ask the EC to stop a rally that the PAD had organised for Wednesday at the Royal Plaza.

Vichit Plangsrikul, another Thai Rak Thai legal expert, said he suspected the PAD was in violation of Article 8 of the election law - gathering more than 15 people to carry out political activities during the run-up to the election.

"We will consult with the EC on whether any action can be taken," he said. Vichit said the PAD must review its decision about tomorrow's rally as it could lead to a confrontation with government supporters.

The Democrat Party's Election Office spokesman Thepthai Senpong said the PAD had every right to carry out any peaceful political activity and would not be violating the election law since no political party supported it.

He cited two articles of the Constitution that gave the PAD the right to rally: Article 44 stipulated that a person or persons have the right to a peaceful gathering and Article 65 stipulated that a person or persons have the right to oppose through peaceful methods any activities which would bring about sovereign power but which do not conform to the methods stipulated in the Constitution.

Thepthai said if Thai Rak Thai believed the PAD defamed the party it could take them to court and file a libel suit.

Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa said he feared the PAD rally would create political turmoil. He did not pin high hopes on the new EC as they were inexperienced.

"To solve a political crisis takes time because it's an outcome of many years. I know of a way out but I will not say how," he said.

Chat Thai Party deputy leader Somsak Prissanananthakul said the PAD had the right to organise the rally and the party should not interfere.

"I regard the PAD's political activities as public participation in politics," he said.