DHAKA: Thousands of police and soldiers have been deployed around the Thai capital, Bangkok, to try to prevent anti-coup protesters from gathering.

Parts of the city centre have been blocked off to traffic, and train stations are closed.

Activists have been using social media to call for a nationwide protest.

The Thai army seized power on 22 May and detained senior politicians for several days, saying stability had to be restored after months of unrest.

Demonstrations against the coup have taken place almost daily in Bangkok, despite a ban by the military authorities on political gatherings of five or more people.

Bangkok’s commercial heart was almost deserted on Sunday, after the army sealed it off to stop what was expected to be a large show of defiance, reports the BBC.

BDST: 1446 HRS, JUNE 01, 2014