Thai protesters postpone planned rallies

BANGKOK, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Thai protesters say they postponed plans for massive demonstrations set for Nov. 28 to Dec. 2 at the urging of the country's fugitive former prime minister.

Veera Musikhapong, a leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, said Wednesday the group's leaders postponed the protests after former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra advised his red-shirted supporters to reconsider their rally plans, the Bangkok Post reported.

Veera told reporters that UDD members agreed it wouldn't be appropriate to hold demonstrations with the approaching celebration of the Thai king's 82nd birthday Dec 5.

The Post said the move comes one day after the Thai Cabinet approved use of the Internal Security Act across the capital to cope with the UDD's plans to split into groups and protest at scores of locations.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, however, said he was skeptical of the UDD's announcement and indicated the ISA would remain in effect, telling reporters, "The government has to be prepared, because the situation is not yet certain."