At least 50,000 people from 16 southern provinces will join the Pitak Siam anti-government rally in Bangkok on Nov 24 and 25, Group of People from 16 Southern Provinces coordinator Sunthorn Rakrong said on Tuesday.

"The people from the South will take part in the mass rally because the government is a proxy of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and its populist policies are damaging the country.

"The government is also colluding with foreigners to sell Thai fuel cheaply, causing prices of farm products to slump," Mr Sunthorn said.

He said the 50,000 people will start moving to the capital on Nov 22 and 23.

The planned anti-government rally, to be held this weekend at the Royal Plaza, will be peaceful and no weapons will be involved, he added.

Meanwhile, National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Paradorn Pattanathabutr confirmed that there was an intelligence report warning that about 4,000 red coloured shirts had been bought by people from the anti-government group in an effort to create unrest during the rally this weekend.

"We cannot link this to any political group yet and we cannot arrest the people who bought the red shirts since its not illegal to do so," Lt-Gen Paradorn said.

Nattawut Saikuar, a deputy commerce minister and red-shirt core member, said he believed there would be an "invisible hand" trying to topple the government during the Pitak Siam rally.

"I can't help but be worried that the 'invisible hand' will use this opportunity to create a situation in order to bring down the government.

"I don't think the rally, to be held over a day or two, will topple the government, and I don't think Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit will have the authority or make key decisions," Mr Nattawut said.

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