ML Panadda Diskul said the directive was in response to an instruction from the Council for National Security (CNS) in the wake of recent political moves in the provinces.

The spokesman was referring to a recent trip by Thai Rak Thai Party's caretaker leader Chaturon Chaisang to the northeastern provinces.

"Authorities of all the provinces will discuss the matter with local police and Election Commission officials. If the ban is violated, they will be ready to take action," he said.

Broadcasting :PR Dept in the firing line

PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan has passed the buck to the Public Relations Department to explain why People's Television (PTV) was unable to air its debut programme.

PTV, which is operated by former senior Thai Rak Thai members, was unable to broadcast its programmes on Thursday.

The station operators blamed CAT Telecom for refusing to facilitate the satellite uplink, while the government-controlled service provider countered that it had never received an application to provide the service.

Meanwhile, PTV executives yesterday urged General Saprang Kalayanamitr, the chairman of CAT Telecom, to explain allegations he was behind an attempt to block the broadcast.