"The attempt to impose control over public gatherings might violate democratic principles to be enshrined in the new constitution, hence the legislation, if drafted, would be unconstitutional," he said.

Meechai was reacting to an idea circulated by the Metropolitan Police Bureau and endorsed by the Council for National Security (CNS).

He said the Royal Decree on the State of Emergency was a draconian law which could be invoked to deal with unruly protests and unforeseen circumstances. "I see no need to further enhance the mandate than that granted in the state of emergency," he said.

In regard to recent anti-coup rallies, he said the CNS was in charge of keeping the peace.

"I don't know if and when it would be deemed necessary to declare a state of emergency, the CNS and the government have to decide on the issue," he said.

Chat Thai Party deputy leader Somsak Prissanananthakul urged the authorities to try to pacify anti-coup protesters instead of declaring a state of emergency.

"My party is concerned about increasing social divisions and rival sides should mend fences rather than fight to defeat one another," Somsak said.

He said protest organisers, particularly those from the PTV rally, which is the core protesting group, should restrain their demands for the sake of ushering in a new general election.

PTV station chairman Veera Musigapong should know that this was not the time to fight for the right to satellite broadcasts. The real issue was how to engineer a peaceful transition from military control to democratic rule, Somsak said.

He called also for security forces to exercise restraint when dealing with the protests.

Somsak's party colleague Prapat Panyachatraksa said debt-ridden farmers were rallying in Bangkok because the Agriculture Ministry had ignored their plight for the past six months.

Prapat called for prompt attention to farm grievances before protesting farmers join up with anti-coup protesters.

Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya expressed optimism that the situation would not spiral out of control and dismissed speculation that the government might declare a state of emergency tomorrow - when the next anti-coup rally is planned at Sanam Luang.

Government's public relations panel chairman Prasarn Maruek-pitak said the government would not act in haste to impose a state of emergency.

Prasarn said members of the public should not be victims of protests staged by overthrown politicians who want to bring back leadership linked to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.