Activist monk Luang Pu Buddha Issara yesterday vowed to prevent red shirts gaining access to the government complex at Chaeng Watthana if they rally there in support of caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday.
Luang Pu's comments raised fears of possible clashes if the red shirts do try to converge on the court building. Ms Yingluck is due to appear before the Constitutional Court there that day.
The monk, a co-leader of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) at the Chaeng Watthana rally site, was speaking following a meeting with Col Worawut Wuthisiri, commander of the 1st Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment, to discuss security measures at the demonstration site yesterday. According to Luang Pu, Col Worawut asked him to allow red shirts to gather at the government complex when the premier testifies in court.
Col Worawut told him that red shirts would come to show support for the premier on Tuesday and that the army was concerned about a possible confrontation between the rival groups, the monk said.
Ms Yingluck is to present her defence to the charter court over the removal of Thawil Pliensri as secretary-general of the the National Security Council (NSC).
An unfavourable ruling could end her premiership and bring down the entire cabinet.
Luang Pu said he would not allow red shirts entry to the government complex because they could pose a threat to the court and the Election Commission.
Ms Yingluck, however, will be allowed in to testify, he said.