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Despite a seemingly changing political tide favouring the Demo-crat Party to form a new government, some 50,000 red-clad devotees of Thaksin and the Pheu Thai Party came out in full force in a show of strength and defiance at the Supachalasai Stadium.

Many vowed to continue supporting whoever would identify themselves with Thaksin. The ex-premier's supporters appeared unperturbed by the explosion of what appeared to be a large firecracker in the morning at the rally site and a minor skirmish between some red-shirt Thaksin supporters and technical-school students.

Former Thaksin aide Newin Chidchob, who a week ago defected to the Democrat side, was roundly attacked by speakers on the "Truth Today" political talk show. A red banner hung at the stadium with pictures of the co-host and the message: "Oppose the hidden coup", a reference to Army chief Anupong Paochinda's new role of adviser to politicians on the composition of the new coalition.

Earlier, some motorcycle taxi-drivers on the eastern edge of Bangkok tuned in to the pro-Thaksin radio programme as it talked about the possibility of his return to Thailand.

Later in the afternoon one red-shirt told his similarly clad companions, on their way to the rally on the Skytrain, that the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy "doesn't stick to any rules but its own".

"The PAD yellow-shirts just shout you down. There's no compromise or listening to other people. If you happen to be on the other side you're wrong and stupid, full stop".

Half of Rama I Road was closed to traffic due to the large red crowd. Some red T-shirts for sale rebutted the PAD's often-made accusation that they are worn by a hired mob with the printed message: "We're here for democracy of our own accord, not for hire."

Pictures of Thaksin and Samak Sundaravej abounded. Someone was even selling pictures of Thaksin as a young army cadet, almost like religious icons. Inside the packed stadium a woman held a placard with the message "UN help me", and some waved red flags with the image of the late Marxist revolutionary leader Che Guevara.