More than 1,000 demonstrators rallied by the Caravan of the Poor, a self-proclaimed group of Thaksin supporters, barricaded the Nation Multimedia Group's premises for about seven hours last Thursday to protest the paper's publication of a report misquoting anti-Thaksin crusader Sondhi Limthongkul's comment on His Majesty the King.

During the protest, the row-dy mobs blocked all access to the premises for about seven hours and forced the closure of a section of the inbound Bang Na-Trat Highway as they set up tents and parked dozens of vans in

traffic lanes. The protesters

dispersed after Kom Chad Luek's editors and protest leaders reached an agreement that included two separate periods of self-imposed closure by the paper from March 31 to April 2 and on April 8 and 9.

The fiery demonstration was organised despite Kom Chad Luek's earlier issuance of a public apology over the report and the resignation of editor Korkhet Chanthalertlak. The paper has also submitted an appeal to the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary seeking a royal pardon.

Members of the Caravan of the Poor yesterday said they would gather at Bang Na police station at 9am today to wait for Kom Chad Luek representatives to file criminal complaints against them over the blockade of the office last Thursday.

The move came after the paper yesterday published reports and pictures of the group barricading its headquarters.

Responding to the Caravan of the Poor's plan, Kom Chad Luek issued an open letter addressed to Thaksin asking him to exercise his power as caretaker prime minister to protect the newspaper from more possible acts of intimidation by the political group. Bang Na police station is located about one kilometre from the daily's headquarters.

The paper's senior editor Jakrit Permpoon submitted the letter by hand to Thaksin at the head office of TV Channel 11, where Thaksin gave an interview for a live programme. Thaksin said he would give Kom Chad Luek protection as requested.