The Council for National Security (CNS) attributed yesterday's weakened anti-coup demonstration to heavy rain and an alleged lack of cash payment for rally-goers.

Sources said rally-goers were promised Bt500-1,000 per head, but many of them did not get the payment. In addition, some rally-goers, especially those who brought along small children, decided to go home after a heavy downpour.

Lt-General Adisorn Nonsee, the metropolitan police chief, said a total of 2,850 policemen were on duty at Sanam Luang and related sites to ensure a peaceful demonstration.

In the early afternoon, police reported the number of pro-Thaksin demonstrators to be around 10,000 as they marched from Sanam Luang to Army headquarters on Rajdamnoen Avenue.

The demonstrators were asked by police to send just 100-200 representatives to walk to the Army head office to avoid chaos and traffic problems, but the request was turned down.

 As a result, police allowed protesters to head towards the Army head office on condition that they would have to disperse by midnight.

Military sources said most of the protesters had decided to disperse around 7.30pm after the first group arrived at the Army head office, while some decided to return to Sanam Luang.

"Originally, we got reports that up to 20,000 people were recruited to join the rally, but many decided to go home," said a source.

Another said most protesters were not ideologically serious, but were lured by the offer of money.

Besides Bangkok, the pro-Thaksin group also had organised rallies at 13 other locations in Nonthaburi and northern and northeastern provinces to pressure the CNS to step down.

"However, the movement has not attracted many supporters because more and more people do not want to see the country slide into deeper trouble.

"People prefer the polls as a solution to problems, so the premier's announcement that the general election date would be moved forward to November 25 was very helpful," said the source.