Campaign for Popular Democracy secretary-general, Suriyasai Katasila said several ex-ministers had also been charged in the 13 corrup-

tion cases the AEC is investigating.

They may fear their assets could be frozen - so they may try to create a "faster result" by stirring up street rallies, he said. "If that is the case, rallies by Thaksin supporters will soon reach breaking point."

Suriyasai expressed concern that a third "ill-intentioned party" may instigate violence by organising clashes between protesters and security officials. The media and "sincere" protest leaders could prevent such a scenario by watching out for ill-intentioned people, who may disguise themselves as protesters.

Academics believe that the move to freeze Thaksin's asset will not cut financial support to protesters, because Thaksin has created strong network of nepotism not just among his relatives but also to friends and wealthy supporters.

Sombat Thamrongthan-wong, rector of the National Institute of Development Administration, said freezing Thaksin's assets may intensify protests by his supporters, but he believed civic groups who oppose the coup would not join Thaksin's groups if they believed the protests were organised with ill intent.

He disapproved of the call by anti-coup protesters for the Council for National Security (CNS) to resign. "Although the CNS seized power through the coup, they came to drive the bandits away from our house."

Watthana Khamchoo,

Sathien Wiriyapanpongsa

The Nation