Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva assured tourism operators that there would be no violence during the red-shirts rally this weekend, during a meeting at Government House today, acting government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn said on Tuesday afternoon.

“The state authorities responsible for maintaining law and order in Bangkok and vicinity will not carry any weapons. They will not use force against the protesters,”

Mr Abhisit was quoted as saying. Mr Abhisit was confident that the government is capable of keeping the situation under control.

Members of the Association of Thai Travel Agents and the Domestic Tour Business Association met the prime minister this afternoon for a briefing on the political situation and the use of the Internal Security Act in Bangkok and nearby provinces during the red-shirt rallies.

Mr Panithan said the business operators also plan to meet leader of the opposition Puea Thai Party to explain their woprries about the anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok this weekend.

The business operators called on all parties to help maintain peace and order in order to minimis the negative impact of the protest.

If there was any violence it would destroy the country’s image and threaten the safety of foreign tourists, cabinet members and innocent Thais, the acting government spokesman said.