The protest was the largest since the coup took place two months ago. It was led by an anti-September 19 coup network and attracted local and international news media.

Protesters wore black and carried banners demanding the ouster of the National Security Council and calling military leaders dictators. The demonstrators chanted for the junta to "get out" as they camped outside the Rajdamnoen Avenue army building.

The network held its first protest two months ago outside the Siam Centre, and that attracted more reporters than protesters. This time the number of protesters outnumbered observers, and groups like the newly elected committee of the Student Federation of Thailand sent representatives.

Marchers gathered at 7.30pm, just as heavy rain fell.

"The coup is destroying not just political systems but democratic systems," said Uchaen Chiangsaen, a political-science graduate student at Thammasat University.

Subhatra Bhumiprabhas

 The Nation