BANGKOK, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai Vanasatidya Thursday insisted that legal action will be taken against demonstrators both anti-and pro-caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra after the April 2 general election, should there be substantial evidence showing that they violated the law.

    The authorities are now gathering evidence but so far no legal action has been taken against any side. Persons who were offended by protestors also have the right by law to sue the offenders, Chidchai was quoted by the Thai News Agency as saying.

    Protestors who committed offenses against other individuals -- verbally or physically -- could face legal action.

    Chidchai said there would be no discrimination against either side in taking legal action. Both demonstrators who rallied against the government with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and members of the Caravan of the Poor who protested in support of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin are all Thais and have equal rights under the law.

    "Every one is under the law and they must respect it, no matter which group they belong to," he said.

    Chidchai refused to disclose how many protestors had been found in violation of the law during the rallies, saying only that the authorities concerned were investigating and gathering information, but had not yet reported to him the numbers of offenders and specific details.

    The deputy prime minister, who is in charge of national security, said he is not concerned that the political situation would be worse or even get out of control if legal action is taken against the protestors.

    "It is exercising the people's rights under a court of justice," he said. "Otherwise we can't do anything. We're in a democratic country, so everything must be under the rule of law."

    However, he said the authorities would ensure fairness to all sides regarding any legal action. Enditem