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More than 200 retired and current officers of the 26th Ranger Forces Regiment were present.

Yesterday's gathering was the most recent in a series of shows of force by Army personnel rallying behind Army commander-in-chief General Anupong Paochinda, who has come under heavy attacks on his personality from Army specialist Maj-General Khattiya Sawatdipol.

Khattiya, a staunch supporter of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, had mobilised a large group of men claiming to be former Army rangers from the camp to support his political cause.

The leaders of yesterday's gathering read a statement before the statue of ranger heroes, offering moral support to the Army chief and denouncing any individual or group of people who cited the support of some rangers for their political gains. They said any political move by rangers should be done personally, not in the name of the force as a whole.

The statement was presented to Colonel Adul Boonthamcharoen, the commander of the 26th Ranger Forces Regiment.

The commander said that yesterday's move by his subordinates came after certain groups of people were abusing the military and inciting divisions within the institution for their political benefits. "That's why the rangers couldn't tolerate it," he added.

He insisted that yesterday's gathering was held at the rangers' intention, without any instruction from the higher authority.