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They accuse the ex-interim premier of encroaching upon the forest reserve in Nakhon Ratchasima province. While there, the red shirts also broke the law themselves by cutting barbed-wire fences and clearing areas with earth-moving vehicles to set up camps.

On Sunday, the first batch of red shirts numbered around 500, and was expected to swell to thousands as the rally dragged on. It was not known how long they intended stay there, enduring heat during the day and other discomforts such as lack of lavatories and inadequate food supplies.

The rally was supposed to be a symbolic protest against what the red shirts brand as aristocratic mandarins serving persons in high places. Presumably, their target is Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda, but their real objective, as declared many times, is to restructure the nation's revered institutions.

Fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra gave his full blessing to the actions of the red shirts, who serve as his mob for hire on a wide range of missions.

What the public wants to know is how far the red shirts are prepared to go this time in what they call the final battle against the government? They aim to pave the way for Thaksin's triumphant return to power, together with his cronies and band of corrupt politicians still barred from active politics by the Constitution Court.

After the rally at Khao Yai, the red shirts are supposed to hold their massive rally in the capital, claiming that at least one million people will attend. That figure is not only highly exaggerated, but so far-fetched due to the frequent boastful nature of the ringleaders.

The ongoing rally will also determine the resolve of the red shirts and the extent of their funding. The leaders claim that at least 100,000 people will surround the hilltop resort. Realistic estimates put the actual number at around 20,000, if not much less. It is pointless because it is known that the rally has been organised to enrich the leaders at the expense of Thaksin, as has happened in the past. 

General Surayud himself stays put. He makes no effort to protect the estate he has occupied for many years despite the periodic uproar over the legality over his landholding. The Forestry Department has ruled that it is part of the forest reserve, but the attorney-general pointed out several days ago that the wrongful holding was made without ill intent.

Still, by clinging onto the ownership, General Surayud has not only damaged himself, but also the reputation and the honour of the entire Privy Council, which is supposed to be untainted by any kind of accusation. Though he has made his intention known that he will surrender the property if it is ruled illegal, he should have done this in a wilful manner much earlier to prove his clear conscience.

The reluctance on his part also gives the red shirts a good excuse to rally against the Privy Council, which they consider the prop of the Abhisit government. Thaksin also pins much hope on this "final" onslaught, hoping the government will collapse due to pressure from prolonged rallies with a large number of protesters.

That could be wishful thinking, as ever. Thaksin has seen too many mirages in the Dubai desert to lose his sense of reality over his position and what the people really feel about his attempt to regain political power. He has become a symbol of chaos and instability, and has been branded as a traitor.

Abhisit has become more confident in dealing with coalition partners who have been difficult and irritable, not to mention their frequent demands for plum projects with opportunities for large kickbacks. At least he can expect that the armed forces will stand behind him if he is to deal with the red shirts in a confrontation.

The worst one can expect from the red-shirt rally is violence. If any violence on the part of the red shirts is unprovoked, but instigated by Thaksin's elements, then the final battle could be swiftly put to an end. The public is fed up with Thaksin's destabilising acts, which have hampered economic recovery and affected everyone's peaceful existence.

The biggest casualty of the final battle will be Thaksin, merely because nobody but his cronies wants to see the destruction of the revered institution. The overall survival of entire nation is at stake. A Thaksin victory would be too high a price for the people to accept.