On Sunday, the number of troops in Yangon, the largest city, swelled to about 20,000 after reinforcements arrived overnight, ensuring that almost all demonstrators would remain off the streets, an Asian diplomat said on condition of anonymity.
''I think the chance of protesters coming to the road and mobilizing enough people to topple the junta is zero,'' he said.
A few monks were seen in a neighborhood on their customary morning round for alms.
''We are not going to protest any more. Rather we will conduct peaceful protests. We Buddhists believe that dhamma (Buddha's teachings) will finally win over evil,'' said one monk.
