The government has been prepared for the planned shutdown of Bangkok by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) on Jan 13 and will use the Internal Security Act (ISA) to handle the protest, National Security Council secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabut said on Tuesday.
The NSC chief said a plan had been laid down for the integration of military and police forces. Soldiers will mainly be responsible for providing security at important government offices, while police will cope with any situation that may arise.
The plan was forwarded to the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (Capo) and caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for acknowledgement two days ago, he said.
If it proved necessary, the prime minister can sign an announcement to invoke the emergency decree immediately.
"The decision whether or not to invoke the emergency decree depends on the situation.
"If the sitution turns critical, involving acts of terrorism with a tendency to do harm to lives and damage to public property, the prime minister can issue an announcement to invoke the emergency decree right away. Everything is set in place and ready," Lt Gen Paradorn said.
The NSC chief said the government would not do anything to block people travelling from other regions, particularly the South, to join the PDRC's shutdown of Bangkok. A large number of people were expected to turn out.
It was believed the people would travel to Bangkok between Jan 9-12.
Security agencies would estimate the number of protesters on Jan 12, he said.
Lt Gen Paradorn believed the planned rallies by the re-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) would not lead to violence as they would be held in other provinces.
Caretaker Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal said the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) had confirmed that the PDRC's plan to cut electricity and water supplies at many spots in Bangkok would not affect the overall power supply.
Lt Gen Paradorn and Mr Pongsak's remarks were made at a press interview at the Army Club before the caretaker cabinet started its meeting there today.