Thousands of taxi motorcyclists ride to the Press Council of Thailand to ask for an investigation into Naew Na newspaper, which reported that they had been paid to attend a pro-Thaksin rally on March 3.

Thousands of taxi motorcyclists rode to the Press Council of Thailand to call for an inquiry into the story.

Surat Chaiyapan, one of the four plaintiffs, alleged that the newspaper published a false story on March 4, which "defamed" the motorcyclists and "caused them to lose income because people stopped using them". They called for Bt500,000 in compensation.

The court set May 22 as the date for a first hearing of the complaint.

Surat said Naew Na's editor agreed to correct the story - but another story was published later confirming the original piece.

More than 3,000 taxi motorcyclists gathered at the back of Marketing Organisation for Farmers' market near Chatuchak Park, before driving to the council and Criminal Court.

Suwat Suksamrit, deputy secretary-general of the press council, said the complaint committee would investigate the matter and ask the newspaper to justify its position. If the newspaper was found to have violated the council's code of ethics, the verdict would be made public.

Earlier this month, around 200 taxi motorcyclists gathered in protest in front of the newspaper's office. An editor apparently agreed to correct the story, saying the motorcyclists did not sign up to receive money and the protesters agreed to leave.