"I don't respect 'farangs'. We do not have to surrender to them," he said, using the Thai word for "Westerners". Thailand has never officially allowed election monitors to operate during  its polls, but anti government "Red Shirts" have recently called for  international observers to be present.

"I am surprised that Red Shirts do not respect our country's sovereignty. I don't understand why they constantly call for foreign involvement, it is inappropriate," Suthep told reporters. The kingdom is struggling to recover from mass Bangkok rallies by the Reds, in which more than 90 people died in clashes between troops and protesters in  April and May last year. It was the worst political violence in decades.

Thailand has suffered years of political instability, punctuated by unrest  and military intervention, seeing 18 actual or attempted coups since 1932 when  the country became a constitutional monarchy. Commentators believe the upcoming poll is likely to highlight the country's divisions.

The elected prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a hero to many in the Red  Shirt movement, was ousted in a coup in 2006, sparking ongoing political  turmoil.

Abhisit Vejjajiva's government is seen as undemocratic by the Reds as it  came to power in an army backed 2008 parliamentary vote after a court ruling  threw out the previous administration, made up of Thaksin allies who had won an  election. Thailand, known as the "Land of Smiles", is usually regarded as friendly to  foreigners.

According to Abhisit the kingdom received 15.8 million overseas tourists  last year and the sector generated 585 billion baht ($19 billion), or 7 percent  of economic output.