THAILAND - Elite forces from all three branches of the armed forces and police are being mobilised to carry out operations to remove red-shirt demonstrators from the Rajprasong intersection in Bangkok.

The rules of engagement are modelled on an emergency plan after 2003 when the Thai embassy and businesses run by Thai firms in Phnom Penh were burnt down by a rowdy mob.

Thailand was reportedly ready to go to war with Cambodia, with combat units readied and F-16 fighters put on standby for possible aerial attacks.

On Saturday evening, Army commander General Anupong Paochinda called a meeting of military commandants, the chief of staff and the acting police commander to discuss operational readiness of all units involved.

The meeting agreed that the military would no longer tolerate armed terrorists blending in with red-shirt mobs in Bangkok.

Army units to be used are capable of "special operations". They include Task Force 90 - a heli-borne infantry assault unit, the 31 Infantry Regiment and red-bereted Army special operations forces. The Navy would dispatch their US-trained SEAL commandos and the Marines Force Recon strike force.

The Air Force will rely on their special operations commandos while the police would dispatch 191 SWAT commandos, anti-terrorism Arintharaj Force and paratroopers.

A joint intelligence report concluded that the armed men were recruited from three groups of people: separatists in the South, mercenaries from neighbouring countries, and paramilitary men trained by active officers allied with the red shirts.

Whatever sources they are from, the prime objective of the coming operations is to deal with the "armed third force", coupled with red-shirt masses travelling to Bangkok from Monday to Wednesday.

All tall buildings nearby Rajprasong intersection are now manned by security officials.

What remains to be seen is whether these units will accomplish their mission - neutralising the armed terrorists, in line with a recently concluded hard-line determination by the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation.