Demonstrators protesting the coup confront police during a march to the home of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda yesterday. Activists led by the September 19 Network Against the Coup marched from Sanam Luang to call for an immediate return to dem

About 1,000 anti-coup protesters marched close to Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda's home yesterday to denounce the man they believe to be the mastermind behind the military takeover six months ago today.

 The marchers, led by the September 19 Network against the Coup, walked from Sanam Luang to Pol Neung Intersection, just metres away from Prem's official residence, loudly calling for an immediate return to democracy and a general election.

Prem was believed to be elsewhere during the protest while around 300 police officers, some holding transparent shields, kept watch and barricaded the area.

"I think he's ashamed, so he fled elsewhere. He must realise now that the military's grip on power is shaking. But then the police presence was really huge, even though he wasn't at home. What does this suggest?" asked Chanakarn Phundeamwong, a coordinator of the group.

"We don't want to see a constitution dictated by people like Prem. We don't want to see more power granted to the Privy Council."

Somyos Phrueksakasemsuk said Prem was the front man who really led the coup and many Cabinet members and members of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) were people affiliated with Prem.

"Prem is the main pillar of dictatorship and not democracy, as some have dubbed him. He has been doing these things for 30 years and the country is not progressing," Somyos told the crowd to some jeers.

Many protesters held banners denouncing Prem and the Council for National Security (CNS).

The group decided to delay distributing its second anti-coup newsletter until the end of the protest yesterday for fear of agitating some Thaksin Shinawatra supporters who joined the rally.

This came after Thanaphol Eiwsakul, guest editor of the newsletter, denounced both Thaksin and the junta as "evil". Thanaphol was upset about the decision but the group insisted it was done to avoid possible violence because one speaker was surrounded by pro-Thaksin anti-coup protesters after speaking against Thaksin. "I cannot omit criticising Thaksin," Thanaphol told The Nation. "If we are to fight so that Thaksin can return, then I won't be joining."

He claimed that one leading member of the September 19 Network even suggested that the 3,000 newsletters be burnt to avoid alienating Thaksin supporters.

The group is trying hard not to ostracise pro-Thaksin groups who are against the coup, but not all pro-Thaksin people are happy.

"If they don't want Thaksin Shinawatra, then do not join us," Noparus Vajrawuthikul, leader of the White Dove group, told some 300 of his followers in front of Sanam Luang at 6pm, as the group refused to join the march.

The group alleged that the military was upset and staged a coup because their budget had been cut during Thaksin's time as premier.

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation