The Pitak Siam (Protecting Siam) group has the constitutional right to hold a mass rally against the government, Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Nattawut Saikuar said on Wednesday.

Mr Nathawut was responding to reports that the group led by Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit plans a mass anti-government rally on Oct 28.

The group has the legal right to protest as long as its activities remain within the law, the co-leader of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) said.

The minister called on Gen Boonlert to take responsibility for his stated support for another military coup to topple the Yingluck Shinawatra government.

Mr Nattawut said he believed the rally would not be prolonged because most people would not support it.

The chairman of the village chiefs and kamnans association of Thailand said it would not support the mass gathering.

Members of the association were meeting at a hotel in Bangkok to map out future moves against the draft village headman and kamnans law, in which their terms would be end after four years in office.

The association’s chairman Yongyos Kaewkiew said his organisation has no thought of joining the planned rally.

The kamnan association plans a mass gathering on Nov 7 at the Royal Plaza in protest against the law, he said.

Mr Yongyos expected about 50,000 members would turn out that day.