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White balloons were released and candles lit in a solemn ceremony shortly before 8pm. Protest leaders said the function was a homage to the protesters injured and killed during the military crackdown on the riot.

The red shirts insisted people had been killed in the crackdown while the authorities denied the claim, saying that the two deaths during the Songkran riot had been caused by angry protesters.

Police said about 1,200 people had turned out at Sanam Luang, the rally venue, when it started at 5pm.

The organisers said they expected about 5,000 people to attend the rally, which was moved from Samut Prakan after the lifting of the state of emergency. The gathering was scheduled to last until 11pm.

Somyos Phruksakasem, a leader of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, a key group in the red-shirt movement, said Thaksin and protest leader Jakrapob Penkair would not phone in. They are both on the run from arrest warrants for inciting violence during the state of emergency.

Somyos said some red-shirt sympathisers from New York and Los Angeles would phone in during last night's rally.

Earlier yesterday, key government figures expressed no concern over the new rally by the red shirts.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban said they were not worried about the anti-government rally, saying police were instructed to strictly enforce the law.

Suthep said police would not drop charges against suspects who had committed crimes such as breaking into state agencies, assaulting officials, battering cars and attempted murder. However, they are considering whether to be lenient with offences in accordance with the emergency decree. Police are also considering allowing D station to broadcast again.

He rejected a proposal from red-shirt leaders that the government drop all charges against them to end the rally. He said the government would not negotiate or bargain with offenders, who would be dealt with as normal. "We are not framing innocent people. If they do not break law, they do not need to fear,'' he said.

Asked whether he was concerned the rally would turn violent, Abhisit said the government would follow the situation closely and he was optimistic that that the protesters would realise what the majority of Thais wanted.

"We hope everyone respects the law, because we all have learnt the lesson that violence hurts not only the country's economy but the people's feelings.''

Asked how safe he felt after what had happened to him during Songkran, Abhisit said he had to carry out his duties as on the day he assumed the premiership.

Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul also dismissed concerns about the rally, saying the government and police were experienced in handling protests and he did not believe the red shirts could instigate public unrest by showing video clips of military crackdowns on protesters as the public had seen them all during the joint session of Parliament on Wednesday and Thursday.