Several pro-government groups in the provinces reacted with caution on Tuesday following the army's declaration of martial law while red-shirt-affiliated community radio stations largely complied with an order prohibiting them from broadcasting news that could affect peacekeeping operations.
Worawut Rujanapinant, leader of the pro-government Rak Chiang Mai 51 group, said it would closely monitor the political situation over the next few days before deciding on its next move.
However, he insisted pro-government demonstrators would be mobilised if the imposition of martial law led to the appointment of an interim prime minister or any acts deemed undemocratic.
Mr Worawut said the declaration of martial law did not seem to differ from a military coup despite the army saying the move was to prevent violent clashes between two opposing camps.
"We will wait for a couple of days before assessing the situation.
''It is likely that we will stay put in Chiang Mai and stand guard against any powers outside the constitution," he said.
The red-shirt demonstrators who gathered at Chang Phuek Gate in Chiang Mai's Muang district in parallel with the red-shirt rally in Bangkok suspended their activities after martial law was declared.
However, a strong response came from the Assembly for the Defence of Democracy, a network of academics in the North.
The group said it was opposed to the imposition of martial law.
The academics said the move is against democratic principles because it gives ultimate powers to the army.
The law is being enforced nationwide when most areas are not even threatened by violence, they said.
The assembly called on the army to tell the public how long martial law was likely to be enforced, and to make sure the law is indeed used for peacekeeping operations as the army claimed.
It also urged the army to cooperate with the caretaker government and the Election Commission in organising fresh elections so power could be returned to the people.
The group said the caretaker government should also monitor the enforcement of martial law and revoke it if the principle of free speech is violated.
Community radio stations affiliated with the red shirts in the North and Northeast yesterday ceased their services or suspended broadcasts about the red-shirt movement. They replaced their programmes with music.
In Udon Thani, a radio station supervised by red-shirt co-leader Kwanchai Praipana was heard playing luk thong songs in between ad breaks.
Mr Kwanchai, who was at the red-shirt rally on Utthayan Road, said he had asked his daughter to comply with the Peace and Order Maintaining Command's (POMC) order.
He also said he decided to scrap a plan to mobilise 10,000 red shirts to the rally following the declaration of martial law.
In Pathum Thani, a radio station belonging to hard-line red-shirt leader Wutthipong "Ko Tee" Kochthammakhun replaced its usual programmes with songs.
It was business as usual in the provinces despite the presence of troops at key government outlets and checkpoints on main roads leading to Bangkok.
The troops at checkpoints were instructed to monitor people who appeared to be moving in groups.
Heads of government offices and state enterprises yesterday gathered for a briefing called by the army chief.
The POMC had earlier called in department heads and provincial governors to attend the meeting at 2pm.
Those in the North were ordered to meet at Naresuan Camp of the 3rd Army in Muang Phitsanulok district of Phitsanulok province, those in the Northeast at Suranaree Camp of the 2nd Army in Muang district of Nakhon Ratchasima.
Those in the South were called to the Vajiravudh Camp of the 4th Army in Muang district of Nakhon Si Thammarat, and those in the Central region at the Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Bangkok.