The 22nd order made by the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) banned the activities of local politicians.

The CDRM said in a statement tambon and provincial administrative organisations as well as other organisations must halt political activity either in support of or opposition to the CDRM.

The council feared political activity at this time could cause rifts in society.

The CDRM said these organisations must halt activities until the country returned to normal.

The latest order came as the Second Army Region at the Suranari camp was tipped off that ousted defence minister Thamarak Isarangura had mobilised local villages from the southern north-eastern provinces - such as Buri Ram, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani. These groups were reported to be en route to Bangkok and set to move against the CDRM.

The Third Army Region also ordered Phetchabun Provincial Administrative Organisation leader Akaradej Thongchaiso and Muang Phetchabun Mayor Wisal Kositanon to report to the army today.

More than 30 community radio stations in Phetchabun were ordered shut down.

Following the report of rallies by local administrative organisations, the Second and Third Army Regions deployed men to major highways leading to Bangkok.

They checked vehicles and some people were ordered to return home when soldiers suspected they were heading to Bangkok for political activities and not looking for work as claimed.

Yodying Chantanapim - an advisor to the Tambon Administrative Organisation Association of Thailand - denied local bodies had moved against the CDRM. He said local bodies had not been disadvantaged by the CDRM coup.

However, they would see if that changed in the future.

Meanwhile, leaflets from an anonymous source were circulating in the outer districts of Chiang Mai protesting the coup.

In some villages, opponents denounced the CDRM overthrow of Thaksin Shinawatra over loudspeakers.

Karun Klaiklung, chairman of the tambon administrative organisations in Chiang Mai, asked all local bodies to cooperate fully with the CDRM.

Spokesman Lt-General Palangkoon Klaharn denied measures had been prepared for possible rallies by Thaksin supporters. He said protests by villagers were just rumours.

He confirmed soldiers would be withdrawn from Bangkok and vital provincial locations as soon as a civilian leadership was in place - or within two weeks.

CDRM chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin had not mentioned counter measures for those who opposed the council and said people had the democratic right to disagree with the coup.

Meanwhile, the council said telephone tapping or the bugging of any communications would result in five years jail and/or a Bt100,000 fine. Those who abused or disclosed or made use of information discovered through eavesdropping would be liable to the same penalties.

The penalties were announced 24 hours after the council banned wiretaps.

Those who instigated tapping would be subject to double the maximum penalty.

If those carrying out illegal taps were the recipients of a government telecommunications privilege then the concession would be terminated.