Asda Jayanama, former permanent Thai representative to the United Nations; Surapong Jayanama, former ambassador to South Africa; and Kasit Piromya, former Thai ambassador to the US, were the highlight of the protest on Wednesday night.

"This is the first time that ambassadors have joined the pro-democracy rally," announced Chirmsak Pinthong, a Bangkok senator, who moderated the session that explored Thailand's image in the eyes of foreigners.

The three envoys surprised the audience, used to the familiar stiff image of diplomats who strictly follow protocol and talk in a soft-spoken manner.

Diplomats had previously been unknown among the pro-democracy crowds. After all, a diplomat is seen as a snobbish blue blood type - not at all the sort of person to camp outside Government House.

On Wednesday night, however, the three diplomats raised their fists and led the crowd in "Thaksin, awk bai."

At one point, Surapong led the protesters to shout the slogan in English.

"There are lots of foreigners here, so you should say it in English," he said. "Thaksin, get out." the crowd responded.

The former diplomats spent an hour exposing the harm that the premier had done, from the government's policy on Burma to free trade agreements to caretaker deputy prime minister Surakiart Sathirathai's drive to become the next secretary-general of the United Nations.

"This government has adopted the most lenient policy towards the Burmese junta because they have business interests in the country," said Asda. The diplomats cited the Export-Import Bank's decision to grant a Bt4-billion credit line to the Burmese government as a case in point.

Although the crowds may have read these stories in the newspapers before, the presence of the three outspoken diplomats certainly spiced up the event. Among the crowd was a group of Foreign Ministry officials who had camped out since the early evening. "It's interesting to see what these guys have to say," one said.