Third Army Area commander Lt-General Jiradet Khotcharat, said he "welcomed public gatherings" to openly discuss the ruling or even express opinions against the government, but distributing leaflets was regarded as illegal under martial law - still in effect in the province - and an act that could instigate public disturbance.

The three men were not identified but the military said one was "a local official".

The general said military personnel had closely "marked" many politicians based in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Kamphaeng Phet, provinces where martial law is still in effect, who were "likely to create problems".

Patrols of armed troops in Humvees in Kamphaeng Phet remained as constant as before and after the Constitution Tribunal verdict was read out Wednesday night.

All five MP seats in the province were held by Thai Rak Thai members, including Ruengwit Likh and Warathep Rattanakorn, two of the 111 party executives banned from politics for five years by the Tribunal.

Security measures were also in place in Chiang Rai, where all eight MP seats were held by the Thai Rak Thai members, including another banned executive, Wisarn Techatheerawat.

Meanwhile, Kamphaeng Phet governor Witthaya Phiewphong yesterday said he would punish officials of schools that had been burned down for their failure to remain vigilant against possible arson attacks.