Thousands protest against Thai junta

THAILAND: Thousands of protesters descended on central Bangkok Saturday to demand an end to the military-installed government in the biggest display of defiance against the junta since last year's coup.

Organisers claimed more than 15,000 people showed up for the rally, while police estimates said there were fewer than half that number.

"The crowd is around 6,000," an official from the police special branch said, declining to be identified.

More than 1,000 security force personnel were deployed near Sanam Luang plaza in central Bangkok, the police official said, adding authorities had banned the protesters from moving anywhere beyond the plaza.

But rally organiser Jatuporn Prompan said: "More than 15,000 people attended the protest.

We plan to hold more demonstrations until elections are held." National polls are expected in December.

The crowd of mostly middle-aged men and women gathered to denounce the junta, which calls itself the Council for National Security (CNS), and to call for the return of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Police major general Manit Wongsomboon said: "The situation is under control. There were no signs of violence."

"I came today to protest against the junta. I want Thaksin to come back. I hate the CNS," Srida Singha, a 60-year-old retired government official, said.

Some protesters waved red-and-white flags which read: "CNS, Get Out" at the rally organised by allies of Thaksin, who was ousted by the military in a bloodless coup in September 2006.

Bangkok, Sunday, AFP