Office workers cheer the denunciation of the finance minister outside the ministry yesterday.

About 300 ministry officials came out to cheer them on.

During the rally Sondhi reiterated his now familiar refrain about Thaksin not paying tax on the sale of Shin Corp while poor rice-noodle sellers have revenue officers breathing down their necks, diligently counting how many bowls of noodles are sold so that tax can be charged accordingly.

"When this government falls, I'll see to it that senior officials [who colluded with Thaksin] are held accountable," Sondhi told the crowd through a loudspeaker from the top of a truck.

Sondhi accused Thanong of being a "coward" and a corrupt man who had colluded with Thaksin in plundering the national coffers.

"I fully agree with him," said one woman. "Thaksin is power mad. He should quit or abstain from politics for a while. He's too attached to his premiership."

Protesters held placards knocking both Thaksin and Singapore. "I don't want to sing the Singaporean national anthem," read one.

Somsak Kosaisuk, another core PAD leader representing the labour sector, took a turn on the loudspeaker, calling on officials to disobey their minister.

"Brothers and sisters at the ministry should not simply follow the policy of selling off national assets through the privatisation of electricity and water. Please do not allow Thailand to be turned into another Mexico or Argentina," he said, in reference to countries where privatisation of state utilities has led to hard times for their people.

Then came Wuthipong Priabjariyawat, a former official at the ministry who urged officials not to "paddle the boat" for Thanong, who he regards as corrupt.

"Please protect justice in this land and be proud of yourselves as public servants. Don't be used by them," he said, urging all patriots to join the main rally tomorrow.

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation