The Council for National Security (CNS) has adopted a new security blueprint for Bangkok and nearby provinces ahead of Wednesday's tribunal verdicts on the fate of the country's two major political parties, sources said.

General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the CNS chairman, issued the order last week for all top security officials in charge of the capital to follow what is called the "Pitak 1" security plan in dealing with potential unrest. CNS sources believe that the previous government is planning to trigger unrest if the Constitution Tribunal rules to disband a major political party.

Both Thai Rak Thai and the Democrat parties could be dissolved in separate verdicts due on Wednesday. The "Pitak 1" security blueprint has replaced the "Pattapee 149" plan used since the September 19 coup last year that ousted the previous Thaksin administration.

"Pitak 1 is designed to cope with mass support of one of the major parties which could be dissolved. The situation could be very delicate in coming days since we have to deal with large numbers of people," said one of the CNS sources.

"We have to do our best to avoid making mistakes since that could spread the unrest further. These masses may also stage rallies to oppose the CNS and the current government.

"We received reports that these supporters, including those who have been hired to cause unrest, have been travelling into the capital from places in the North and Northeast. These people could join groups of taxi drivers and motorcycle taxis in Bangkok and nearby provinces to cause trouble. They reportedly plan to wear red shirts as the symbol to fight, starting tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday suggested a meeting of all parties concerned to sort out the political turmoil and map out a clear plan for the next general election.

"After the two verdicts on electoral fraud, I think an independent organisation should invite all sides, including the government, the CNS and all key politicians, to pledge a free and fair election," he said.

Abhisit said he expected such a meeting to ease the political volatility.

Although the Democrats would respect the judicial decisions on May 30 and accept them with calm, post-verdict anxiety might arise due to unforeseen consequences, he said.

"I think it is a good idea for the CNS to pledge no repeat of military intervention and for the government to chart a clear course for elections," he said.

"If every political leader, and their supporters, agree to steer the country toward elections, then I believe the situation will not spiral out of control," he added.

Commenting on the political jitters, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said some people might not be happy with the verdicts though they were not likely to join unruly protests.

"Regardless of the outcome of the two electoral-fraud cases, some people will be dissatisfied with the judicial decisions, but I don't think a large number of protesters will take to the streets," he said.

He said parties and their supporters should uphold the outcome of the judicial review, otherwise society would turn lawless. "We talk about justice and the rule of law but if we refuse to abide by a court ruling, then I don't know what justice means," he said.

Thai Rak Thai Party executive Sudarat Keyuraphan said she believed justice would prevail, although she could not predict the ruling on her party.

"If, in the worst scenario, the party is found guilty and ordered disbanded, we are willing to accept our fate, and no party members and supporters will act in defiance of the court order," she said.

She said the party would invite its loyal members to chart a future course if faced with a dissolution, adding that punished party executives would work behind the scenes to help carry on party activities under a new banner.

She revealed that acting party leader Chaturon Chaisang had had a telephone conversation with ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra to plan for political contingencies.

PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan said the judicial decisions on electoral fraud would not have any impact on the referendum for the new constitution.

Thirapat also voiced confidence that authorities could keep the situation under control if PTV, a pro-Thaksin group, decided to go ahead with its plan for a rally at the Royal Plaza coinciding with the verdicts.

Chiang Mai Provincial Police also stepped up road checks in Saraphi district yesterday and they will continue to do so through next Sunday in order to discourage villagers from joining the planned protests in the capital. Provincial Police Region 3 has deployed similar measures in eight northeastern provinces.

Activist Chanapat na Nakhon alleged that PTV protest organisers were coordinating with Thaksin's military allies from the Pre-Cadet Class 10 to incite unruly protests on Thursday following the verdicts.

"I think pro-Thaksin protesters will try to provoke anti-riot forces to fire the first bullet, triggering bloodshed," he said.

Anti-coup activist Sudchai Boonchai said he expected tens of thousands of protesters to rally peacefully on Wednesday during the verdict session.

He said he planned to hand out 70,000 Jatukam Ramathep amulets at Sanam Luang, the rally site.

PTV rally organiser Jatuporn Phromphan said he would mobilise the crowds to submit a petition to His Majesty the King to dissolve the junta if the Thai Rak Thai Party was dissolved by the court order.