The TV footage of the eight-minute audience on May 20 1992 showed His Majesty advising then prime minister Suchinda Kraprayoon and anti-Suchinda protest leader Chamlong Srimuang to end their confrontation and turn to work together to help rebuild the nation being torn by political violence.

After the royal audience, Suchida resigned as prime minister and his opponents ended their protests, allowing peace to be restored and an interim government to be appointed. The mass rally, attended by hundreds of thousands of people, had been triggered by Suchinda's assumption of premiership after toppling the elected government of Chatichai Choonhavan in a coup.

On the night of May 17 1992, security troops under the Suchinda government opened fire at protesters gathering at Sanam Luang and adjacent Rajdamnoen Avenue. Chamlong and many other protesters were arrested and briefly jailed. The crackdown continued the following days, leaving an unknown number of fatalities before the King intervened.

A TV Pool anchorman said in his introductory note for the special broadcast, aired at 8pm last night, that the May 20 1992 Royal audience was to be replayed particularly in regard with the nature of the current political situation.

A well-informed source said the special broadcast had been made on request by the Royal Household Bureau.

Before the nationwide TV Pool broadcast last night, His Majesty's speeches given on different occasions to call for national reconciliation and unity were aired individually by TV stations over the weekend.

During the Royal audience on May 20 1992, the King was seen advising Gen Suchinda and Chamlong to turn to each other and end the political turbulence that had culminated in a violent confrontation.

"You two should get together to talk it over how to restore the country. This is the reason why I have summoned you. Now we have to rebuild the country from shambles," the King said.

The Nation