In Thailand, security forces braced for possible violence today as tens of thousands of protesters loyal to deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra headed to Bangkok for a mass anti-government rally. A 50,000-strong security force, including soldiers, patrolled the streets and manned checkpoints into the city, in an effort to ward off demonstrators. Organisers insist the protests will be peaceful, but the government has enacted the strict Internal Security Act to monitor the rally.