Thaksin begs for "royal kindness"

Tens of thousands of supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra started gathering at the Rajamangala Stadium Saturday afternoon to hear the speech of their ousted leader.

They occupied most of 70,000 seats in the stadium and packed the field. Police security was tight. 

Most of them came arrived on buses from northern and northeastern provinces. Thousands came to wait outside the Hua Mak stadium even before the compound of the stadium was open.

The organisers of the event titled Truth Today Against Coup had to open the gates of the stadium at about 11:45 am ahead of the initial schedule at 1 pm.

The three hosts of Truth Today talk show - Jatuporn Promphan, Veera Musigapong, and Korkaew Pikulthong - at 1:45 pm drew cheers from the audience inside the stadium.

They went on stage along with Government Spokesman Natthawut Saikua, who remained on the stage for about 10 minutes to receive flowers from government's supporters.

Later on, all leading members of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship went up on the stage to join the talk show held to show moral support for their ousted leader and to denounce his opponents.

Those appearing on the stage included former PM's Office minister Jakrapob Penkair. Jakrapob came up on the stage at 2:15 pm and received warm welcome.

Thaksin's mother-in-law, Pojanee na Pomphet, and several leading People Power Party MPs, including Samarn Lertwongrat and Sunai Julapongsathorn, also came to the rally.

Chaturon Chaisaeng, former leader of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party, also came to the rally to sell his look thung album for Bt100 a CD. He also gave his autograph to those who bought his music CDs.

Jakprapob also helped sell red T-shirts for Bt180 each. The former minister also gave his autograph to those who bought the T-shirts.

The event organisers also sold a book and VCD, both titled "the People's Alliance for Democracy members kill people".

The organisers also gathered signatures of the participants to file a petition to seek a royal pardon for Thaksin who has been given a jail term for committing conflicts of interest.

The pro-Thaksin demonstrators were also shown videos related to the September 2006 coup.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law who opted to visit Chiang Mai, said he feared that a third party might take the chance to create situation.

About 1,000 crowd control police have been deployed to keep security at the Rajamangala Stadium, Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol Maj Gen Amnuay Nimmano said.

He said some 2,000 policemen have been on standby and ready to provide reinforcements if an untoward incident happens.