Thailand's education minister has said a coup was not imminent, despite the anti-government protests moved into a fifth day over corrupt practices prevalent in ministerial offices.
Chaturon Chaiseng said although the situation was serious and the aim of protesters to overthrow the government is "unconstitutional," the army does not appear to be backing the protesters, which is a prerequisite for a coup to take place, the BBC reports.
According to the report, the country's crime-fighting agency was forced to evacuate on Wednesday.
The protestors accused the government of being controlled by the prime minister's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was overthrown by the army in September 2006.
Thaksin was earlier blamed for elevating corruption to new heights, and the protestors said that he was trying to control everything from self-imposed exile through his sister Yingluck.
The protestors are being led by former opposition Democrat Party lawmaker Suthep Thaugsuban, who said they wanted to shut down the government ministries in a bid to cause disruption, the report added.
