Authorities in Thailand today began deploying 50,000 troops on the streets of Bangkok ahead of rallies by anti-government protesters. The demonstrations by the so-called "Red Shirts", who support former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, begins tomorrow – two weeks after the kingdom's top court confiscated 1.4 billion US dollars of the tycoon's assets.<br/><br/>Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is overseeing the security operation, said full deployment began today of 30,000 soldiers, 10,000 police and 10,000 civilian volunteer forces. The government has invoked a tough internal security act that allows it to call out troops, impose curfews and ban gatherings. The Reds, who resent what they see as an elitist and undemocratic government, say they expect up to 600,000 people to attend the main rally on Sunday but insist it will be peaceful. The government estimates that nearly 100,000 will turn up.