Thailand has mobilised about forty thousand security personnel ahead of mass rallies by red shirt opposition protesters over the coming days. The demonstrators plan to meet around the country before converging on the capital, Bangkok, on Sunday.<br/><br/>They are mainly supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006. They say they plan to rally until Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva calls new elections. The government has promised a tough reaction if the protests set to begin on Friday turn violent.