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Published on October 13, 2007

The only difference was the profiles of the almost 10,000 listeners and the venue of Bangkok's Sanam Luang, which was wet and muddy after the storm the previous night.

You would have heard how Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Thai Rak Thai Party leader, got into politics, how his party won the election and brought development to the country before he was treated unfairly by former opposition parties and the military junta. Then you might look forward and think about how to restore Thaksin's reputation.

Samak brought with him a Buddhist statue of Luang Por Chim, whom he highly reveres, in the belief that it would not rain on yesterday's rally. He was not disappointed.

Although the event was intended to showcase candidates for the December 23 general election, when it is declared open, Samak stole the limelight.

Starting his speech at 4.30pm, Samak acted as the moderator, introducing the party's 10 candidates who travelled from the provinces. He let them address the audience one by one.

But the audience responded only when it came to Samak.

When country singer Sayan Sanya tried to present a garland, Samak told him to give it to the other people.

The rally organisers must also thank deputy party leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat and executive Noppadon Pattama for keeping the audience interested, as they are close aides to Thaksin.

The audience wanted to know how Thaksin had been living.

Most of People Power's members had belonged to Thai Rak Thai. Samak had said on the day he received the leadership post that he would re-establish Thaksin's reputation.

Samak last night attacked those politicians who supported the military with the hope of getting favours in return. While those who treated the Thai Rak Thai unfairly have begun to have disputes, People Power members work together with unity, he said.

Thaksin would definitely return to Thailand and defend himself against all allegations, he added.

Yongyuth and Noppadon appeared grim in relating about the past and how they and Thai Rak Thai were treated unjustly by the junta and other military-backed agencies, before Noppadon described how talented Thaksin was in running the UK's Manchester City Football Club.

The candidates, including one from Lamphun and another from Suphan Buri, mostly complained about what they had lost during the year since the military putsch.

They talked for five to 10 minutes each, then Samak wrapped up what they had said.

No new policies were unveiled, although they talked a little the policies of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai.

Deputy leaders Sudarat Keyuraphan, Newin Chidchob, Yaowapha Wongsawat and Ruengroj Mahasaranond and secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee were also present at the election campaign rally.

Ruengroj was the supreme commander and joined the coup-makers who toppled the Thaksin regime last year.

The crowd swelled in the evening when groups started arriving by chartered coaches.

When they got off the bus, they were handed pennants with the party logo and T-shirts with messages supporting Thaksin.

During a speech, deputy leader Samphun Lertnuwat praised Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont for promising to hold the general election on December 23. He said Surayud was determined to keep his word despite attempts from some groups to delay the poll.

Relatively few officers secured the grounds. While a group of municipal police stood by, others patrolled around on motorcycles. No military officers bothered to cover the event.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn,

 Kesinee Jaikawang

 The Nation