THAILAND’S military junta deployed thousands of soldiers and police across Bangkok today to combat expected demonstrations in defiance of an army edict banning political assemblies.

But the military authorities pulled many of the thousands of troops off the streets as the expected public show of dissent to the May 22 coup failed to materialise.

Half a dozen women outside a shopping centre gave the three-fingered salute that has become a symbol of defiance to the coup and small groups at Bangkok’s main international airport made the same salute.

But only four protesters were arrested, deputy national police chief Somyot Poompanmoung said.

“Those four people will be brought to the army camp to tune their political attitude later,” said Mr Poompanmoung.

The military has cracked down hard on pro-democracy dissidents and supporters since it ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra last month, seeking to mute criticism and nip potential protests in the bud.