BANGKOK, Feb 4, 2010 (AFP) - Thailand's prime minister Thursday played down threats by a retired general allied to ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra to form a "People's Army" and topple the government.
With Thaksin supporters gearing up for new street protests, General Panlop Pinmanee stoked political tensions by saying that the mooted militia would "bring back peace and democracy".
But speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said there was no cause for panic.
"This is an effort to create fear and violence in this country. People should not panic. This country has laws and I want everyone to respect the laws," Abhisit said.
But he added that domestic security would be strengthened.
Panlop told the Matichon newspaper that the political situation was unacceptable to supporters of Thaksin, "so we will set up a 'People's Army'".
On Thursday, pro-Thaksin "Red Shirt" supporters held small rallies around the country.
The former prime minister has stirred up political unrest from abroad since he left Thailand in August 2008, to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption.
His supporters are planning fresh protests this month ahead of a court ruling on whether authorities can seize Thaksin's 2.2-billion-dollar assets, frozen after the coup that deposed him in 2006.
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