Counter rally held against anti-coup group

It came out in support of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, too.

Several thousand joined the demonstration at the King Rama VI statue at Lumpini Park just after dawn.

The group calls itself the Network of People for Peace and is led by deputy permanent sec¬retary for defence Admiral Bannawit Kengrian, prominent People's Alliance for Democracy member Sondhi Limthongkul and Assembly for Northeastern People chairman Chaiwat Sinsuwong.

Alms were presented to 999 monks of 400 capital temples.

Sondhi - who was among the leaders of a series of demon¬strations against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra before the September 19 coup - led the demonstrators in chants pledging loyalty to the monarchy.

Sondhi declared the group's opposition to what he called attempts by "evil" to create turbulence affecting the economy and national stability. He was apparently referring to the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship.

Sondhi called on people to denounce the creation of turmoil and disunity.

He demanded the government use state-owned news media to alert people to alleged wrongdoing by pro-Thaksin groups in order to reduce support for them.

Prem was offered the group's support following his targeting by anticoup groups, as were the Constitution Tribunal, the Assets Examination Committee and the National Counter Corruption Commission. All these bodies have moved against Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai since the junta took power.

Chaiwat said the rally showed national unity and its concerns about political instability and deep South unrest. The people want peace and unity back as soon as possible.

Bannawit said the rally was an expression of the desire for the restoration of peace.

The Nation

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