The majority of the protestors came out during their lunch break to listen to Business Democracy Club members speak about how Thaksin was unfit to continue as prime minister.

Senator Chirmsak Pinthong, Prasarn Maruekapitak, head of the club, and Preeda Tiasuwan, a jewellery trader, led the gathering, which began at about 11am near Sala Daeng Skytrain station and finished at about 2pm.

The scene was reminiscent of a gathering during the 1997 financial crisis when hundreds of businesspeople gathered on the road to call for then-Prime Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh to resign over his failure to solve the crisis.

Although smaller, yesterday's gathering was a portent of things to come after Prasarn told the crowd to rally at Lumpini Park at 5pm today to participate in the "Silom Black Rally", which will go on to join the People's Alliance for Democracy at the Royal Plaza.

Chirmsak told the crowd to vote for no one in the April 2 election in order to show their disapproval.

There was some tension in the air yesterday as a number of passing pro-Thaksin taxi drivers honked their horns in an attempt to interrupt the speakers.

The event was also spiced up with a short performance by a protester clad in a Chinese opera costume and holding a box to collect funds for the anti-Thaksin campaign.

One office worker in his late 30s said he would join the protest again tomorrow.

"I want to press Thaksin to resign," he said, adding that he had participated in several anti-Thaksin rallies at Sanam Luang.

Asked if there was a consensus on whether Thaksin should step down, he said: "At my office there are pro and anti-Thaksin groups. But I have been following the political situation for a long time. So, I know Thaksin's behaviour well."

One 30-year-old female office worker said it was the first time she had joined an anti-Thaksin rally.

"I have been interested in joining a rally for some time but never made it. When the [Business Democracy] club said they would come here, I didn't think twice to join them," she said.

She said that although she liked many of Thaksin's populist policies she questioned his ethical behaviour.

"I want Thaksin to resign to prove himself. And then he can come back. I think when he resigns the problem will end. So, he should do that for the country," she said.

Korn Chatikavanich, a former Democrat Party MP for Bangkok, who was among the observers yesterday, said: "I came here as an observer. This event reminds me of the rally several years ago, when I was working at an office in the Silom Complex Building. "

Prasarn said people who wanted to join the rally today should consider wearing black to show unity in pressing Thaksin to resign.

Somruedi Bangchongduang

The Nation