Fear of violence in Bangkok as fate of political parties to be decided
Related News  Thailand puts 15,000 troops on alert for court verdict  Thaksin website blocked ahead of Thai court ruling  Thailand to beef up security ahead of key party ruling  Thai parties braced for key ruling after king's comments BANGKOK: Security is being beefed up in Bangkok as Thailand's top judges prepare to decide the fate of the country's two main political parties.
Their verdict could plunge the political system into disarray, raising concerns for violent unrest.
Security officers were scanning for explosives at the Constitutional Courthouse in Bangkok, ahead of the tribunal's verdict on the Thai Rak Thai and Democrat parties.
The two parties are alleged to have committed electoral fraud, and if found guilty, the court could order that they be dissolved.
Such a ruling is however expected to spark outrage from many Thais on both sides of the political divide.
With tensions running high in the capital, several foreign embassies have warned their citizens to be vigilant, and to avoid public gatherings.
Barricades are just one part of Bangkok's security plan to contain possible unrest after the dissolution verdicts are handed down.
13,000 security personnel will be on alert in case things turn violent and emergency rule in the capital has not been ruled out.
In a rare televised address last week, Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej appealed for calm and caution.
Both the political parties have insisted they are not mobilising supporters to rally against the court, and are maintaining their pleas of innocence.
Thai Rak Thai says there is no justification for the case, as coup leaders had abolished the 1997 Constitution that was the basis for the trial.
"There is no legal basis to prosecute and punish us. We challenge the authority of the tribunal," says Chaturon Chaiseng, Acting Leader, Thai Rak Thai Party.
If the two parties are ordered to be dissolved and their executives banned from politics for five years, the ruling could sideline up to 160 of Thailand's most experienced politicians.
Many Thais see this as a step backwards, as the kingdom gears up for General Elections in six months.
"To have every politician banned as a result would be seen by everybody as being too draconian," says Korn Chatikavanij, Deputy Secretary General, Democrat Party.
Some analysts suggest that the punishment should focus on the individuals who committed electoral fraud, rather than the parties as a whole.
"According to the general rules of law, I think any person, only the person who committed offence should be punished. The party did not commit offence," says Narongdech Sarukhosit, Assistant Prof of Law, Chulalongkorn University.
For now, Thais can only wait anxiously to see what lies ahead on the road back to democratic rule. - CNA/yy
Deliberations by Thailand's Constitution Tribunal have begun to decide the fate of the former ruling party, Thai Rak Thai, and the main opposition Democrat Party. With authorities expecting supporters of the two parties to cause disturbances, security forces in the capital Bangkok are on high alert, with 15,000 troops at the ready to keep order.

Nine judges began their deliberations at around 1 p.m. local time (1800 GMT), and are expected to announce their decision on Wednesday. Both Thai Rak Thai and the Democrat Party are accused of legal violations in connection with general elections on April 2, 2006, and could be dissolved.

Thai Rak Thai was formerly led by Thaksin Shinawatra, the ex-prime minister who was ousted in a coup d'état last year. The Democrat Party, the ruling party before Thaksin was elected premier in 2001, is the main opposition. Since the coup on September 19, 2006, the military-led Council for National Security has banned political activity, but has promised to hold a referendum on a new constitution ahead of planned elections by December.

Analysts  have warned that the dissolution of the country's two main parties could cause chaos, and that the junta could resort to an emergency decree.

Small units of unarmed Royal Thai Army soldiers were posted at television stations and other strategic locations. In total, some 15,000 troops are on alert in their barracks, ready to deploy if the security situation warrants.

Foreign embassies warned their citizens to use caution, urging them to avoid demonstrations, political rallies and military personnel.

Last week, King Bhumibol Adulyadej made a rare televised address as he granted an audience to the judges, urging them to use care in their verdict.

Both parties deny rallying their supporters and say they are innocent.

"There is no legal basis to prosecute and punish us. We challenge the authority of the tribunal," acting Thai Rak Thai leader Chaturon Chaiseng said, pointing out that since the coup, the 1997 Constitution that was the basis for law had been abolished.

Along with the dissolution of the parties, party leaders could be banned from politics for five years, possibly sidelining up to 160 of the country's top politicians.

"To have every politician banned as a result would be seen by everybody as being too draconian," said Korn Chatikavanij, Democrat Party deputy secretary general.