Thaksin calls for reconciliation, forgiveness

"May I ask you, brothers and sisters, if you wish me to remain abroad for that long period of time?" he asked the 50,000-plus red-clad supporters at Rajamangala National Stadium.

He was referring to a 10-year statute of limitations on the two-year jail sentence handed down against him by the Supreme Court for conflict of interest in the Ratchadaphisek land-scandal case.

"The nation has been in ruins since the 2006 coup," he said.

The ex-PM added that any salvation would now come from either the "compassionate" guidance of His Majesty the King or the power of the people.

He said democracy was essential for a peaceful and cultured Thailand, however, and urged both sides in the political conflict to "forgive one another" and "reconcile". In the West, said Thaksin, political differences don't lead to political division.

Thaksin, believed to be making the call from Hong Kong, said he was suffering from karma not of his making. He also criticised the judicial system for "ending justice" instead of serving it. He was introduced before speaking as "convicted criminal Thaksin Shina-watra" and made wry play of the tag.

The former premier, still hugely popular, especially in rural areas, said the current political turmoil was a result of the coup, an assassination attempt and other moves against him despite his having been a popularly elected prime minister. "It goes against the feeling of the people, and that's why the situation is as messy as it is today."

"The injustice is the reason why people had to gather to fight, so justice may return to society," the controversial ex-premier told the electrified crowd.

Thaksin said he missed the people and the political stage where he could feel the hearts of others and said: "Without such moral support I wouldn't have survived to this day."

He added that his family's travail was as nothing compared to that faced by Thailand since the 2006 coup which ousted him.

His brief talk was followed by a short recorded video in which he criticised the coup-makers for having caused much damage to the economy and democratic system "in order to get rid of one person", a reference to himself.

"We shall oppose coups d'état together," he said, adding that now that the world was entering an economic crisis Thailand could not avoid being affected but must try to lessen the impact.

Meanwhile, emboldened by the high turnout of pro-government, pro-Thaksin supporters, red-clad speakers at yesterday's rally announced that they would not allow the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to dictate the course of politics any further. "They have pushed us to the point where we have no place to stand, and the only thing we can do now is fight them," said Chatuporn Phromphan.

The People Power Party MP and co-host of the "Truth Today" television programme on the state-controlled NBT channel was speaking at the rally at the Rajamangala National Stadium.

"The only solution is to amend the goon 2007 charter, and if the PAD or a group of 40 senators opposes it, then we say: "To hell with them!" From now on, the majority voice will not allow the minority voice to pressure it."

Sean Boonpracong, a member of the anti-coup pro-Thaksin war room, told The Nation on Sunday that the rally was a success because of the high turnout. He added that the group was now trying to court "sophisticated" middle-class people who were against the PAD and coup. About 90 per cent of seats in the stadium, which has a seating capacity of 49,000-plus, were occupied. The main field area on the ground, estimated to accommodate some 10,000, was 80 per cent full.

Suthachai Yimprasert, a historian at Chulalongkorn University, was one of those who attended the rally wearing red. He said the rally signified that the majority of the people would no longer put up with the PAD.

Former deputy premier Chaturon Chaisaeng told the gathering that while the group would remain peaceful, there could be no compromise in terms of ideology with the PAD. "It's a matter of black and white," he said.