Thailand: Red alert for yellow shirts

Thailand has imposed a tough security law this week, giving authorities broad powers to control a street rally in Bangkok by nationalist "Yellow Shirt" protesters threatening mass protests to overthrow the government.

The act allows authorities to impose curfews, operate checkpoints, restrict movements of protesters and act fast if rallies by the People's Alliance for Democracy turn violent or if they try to seize government buildings.

The "Yellow Shirts", whose crippling rallies helped to bring prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to power, have turned against him recently, urging a tougher line against Cambodia over the disputed border area.