Sixteen teams from around the region, boasting some of the world's top players, will converge on Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam in coming days to prepare for the tournament from July 7, and no chances are being taken.

In Bangkok, where a military junta is in charge after seizing power in a bloodless coup last year, police issued reassurances that the safety of players and fans was paramount.

"We are ready. We will deploy all our equipment, including bomb squads and dogs," said Lieutenant General Phanu Kerdlarpbhol, deputy head of Bangkok's metropolitan police.

About 13,000 soldiers have been on standby in Bangkok since mid-June as protests against the junta gather steam. About 15,000 people attended a rally on June 15 and 6,000 marched to the army headquarters on July 23.

"We are confident it will run smoothly as the participating countries are not rivals. We don't expect anything bad or serious to happen," added Phanu.

Bangkok hosts Australia, Iraq, Oman and Thailand.

Phanu also played down fears of attacks by separatist insurgents from the kingdom's Muslim-majority south, where rebels are waging a bloody battle for a separate state.

"I also don't think the insurgency will be a threat but we are providing full security," Phanu said.

A string of bomb attacks in Bangkok on New Year's Eve killed three people and injured 42. No one has yet been charged, and it is still unclear whether they were related to the insurgency.

In Jakarta, the scene of several deadly bombings in recent years, including at the Marriott hotel in 2003 and the Australian embassy in 2004, hotels have drastically tightened their security.

All cars entering are checked by police while visitors must walk through metal detectors and have their bags searched.

"We will provide the usual security protection to the players and officials, especially foreigners," Jakarta police spokesman Ketut Untung Yoga Ana said.

"Security will be provided from the time they arrive at the airport, at the hotel where they are staying, at the training ground, as well as match venues and everywhere they go, if they request it.

"We are preparing for all kinds of threats to the players, including bombs and hooliganism."

Evacuation routes have been planned at the main stadium in Jakarta, which will host the final on July 27.

South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Indonesia are based in the Indonesian capital.

Mustafa Mohamad, director of internal security with the Royal Malaysian Police, said no trouble was anticipated in his country.

"We consider Malaysia a safe country. There are no threats," he said.

"Some 600 police officers will be deployed during the tournament. Our boys are highly trained, we are taking every step to ensure the safety and security of the officials and players.

"The moment they land, there will be a police escort. The hotel, training ground and stadium will be secured by police."

Communist Vietnam pledged to meet all the conditions for co-hosting the tournament, including ensuring tight security, but refused to give details.

"The police ministry is responsible for combating any kind of hooliganism and violence in Vietnamese stadiums where Asian Cup matches will take place," said Hoang Chuyen Can, the Vietnam Football Federation official in charge of security.

"We cannot provide details of specific security measures."

Trouble in football-mad Vietnam is rare although last month a national championship match was abandoned when rioting fans threw stones and bottles onto the pitch and set fires.

Vietnam, Japan, Qatar and UAE play in Hanoi.