Anything & Everything About Thailand

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326 words
29 March 2006
Thai News Service
English

Section: Press Release - Decreasing tourist arrivals

Political tension may affect short-term travel in the coming 3-6 months, particularly during the Songkran Festival in April, Japan's Golden Week in May and Asia's summer holiday season in October. The situation may also impact the tourism targets for 2006-2008.

ATTA is preparing for a strategic change by using the TTM in September 2006 as a major purchasing stimulant. It is also joining with the Commerce and Tourism and Sports ministries in drafting a tour standard regulation and the opening up of the tourism industry for foreign investment.

With regards to the declining tourist arrival numbers as reported by TAT, the drop of 60,000 Chinese visitors is in contrast to reports received from the private sector, which has raised questions about the figures.

ATTA is confident the drop is not more than 30,000 people and cited that the past 2 months have seen an increase of over 200,000 visitors. There will be some decline from China during Songkran but it will not be more than 10,000 persons.

The private sector believes visitors will continue to come in despite some cancellations. The Thai Hotels Association report the occupancy rate for Bangkok and upcountry hotels at around 80% and said that figures for the first quarter are better than the same period in 2005.

Tourism strategy revision

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said yesterday that TAT's present strategy must be reviewed, especially the tourism income target.

Demonstrations in Bangkok

Demonstrations led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) will move to protest in front of the Siam Paragon and Central World Plaza shopping complexes in downtown Bangkok. The move is expected to severely hinder traffic in the city and will be a huge blow to tourism spending in the area. - This press release was issued on March 28, 2006

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BANGKOK, March 29 (TNA) – The government has come under opposition fire for approving a two-billion-baht arms deal despite being in caretaker mode ahead of Sunday's general election.

Deputy Democrat Party leader Jurin Laksanavisit said it was inappropriate for a caretaker government to have approved the weapons procurement agreement, especially as there was no counter-trade involved and payments would spread over a number of years.

Mr. Jurin also criticised a proposal by caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to set up a post-election "national government," describing it as a desperate attempt at political self preservation.

The main opposition parties, including the Democrats, are boycotting the April 2 poll.

The deputy Democrat leader said Mr. Thaksin had appeared "broad-minded" only because he was under such pressure from the sustained campaign of mass public rallies calling on him to step down.

Under no circumstances would the opposition parties join such a national unity government, he said, warning that any new Thai Rak Thai-led government would likely become a dictatorship without the scrutiny of a parliamentary opposition.

Mr. Jurin accused Mr. Thaksin of unethical conduct and repeatedly called for his replacement by a neutral, royally-appointed prime minister under Article 7 of the Constitution. (TNA)—E008

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BANGKOK, March 29 (TNA) – More rain could be expected over the next few days after gusty winds and widespread thunderstorms hit many parts of Thailand, including the Bangkok region, last night, the Meteorological Department said.

Spokesman Charoon Lauhalertchai said a high pressure ridge from China had covered Thailand, causing widespread thunderstorms and strong winds in the north, the northeast, and the centre of the country.

The department forecast heavy rain would continue today and tomorrow, before clearing on March 31 .

A summer storm could occur throughout the season, he said, but were usually limited in scope and duration.

Westerly winds from Myanmar were predicted to affect northern areas of the country from March 31 to April 2.

Torrential rain and strong winds were also expected, together with hail in some areas, he added.(TNA)-E004

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BANGKOK/CHIANG MAI, March 29 (TNA) – Protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra were preparing to rally in a key Bangkok shopping district Wednesday afternoon in a bid to take their message to businesspeople and the middle-class.

Ahead of the planned two-day mass protest, Mr. Thaksin was in his northern hometown of Chiang Mai. He had initially planned to return to the capital this afternoon, but has put off his departure for another day.

The prime minister spent this morning paying homage to his ancestors amid cheering crowds of supporters in San Kamphaeng district before campaigning for candidates of the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party in Sunday's general election.

He is scheduled to appear in a current affairs programme on state-owned Channel 11 television tonight.

The Bangkok shopping district protest is being led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a coalition of several groups campaigning to oust the prime minister over allegations of corruption and abuse of power.

Protest leaders said they would gather at 3 p.m. (0800 GMT) at the nearby National Stadium before marching to the luxury shopping complex Siam Paragon in Siam Square, a popular gathering place for many young people.

According to the PAD, they hoped to generate wider support from Bangkok's silent majority for the prime minister's removal.

"Allowing Thaksin to remain in power will do more harm to the country than any traffic snarl which commuters may temporarily suffer," said Pipop Thongchai, a PAD leader.

Police warned earlier that the protest may be broken up if a large number of those affected filed formal complaints.

Operators of the upmarket shopping complex announced yesterday that they would close three shopping centers, including Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery Centre and Siam Centre on March 29 and 30.

They argued that the anticipated road closures and traffic chaos would affect goods delivery, and restrict access to customers and staff alike. (TNA)-E001

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Wednesday 29 March 2006 :-

Retailers plead for rally to be relocated :Say protest will cause havoc, hurt sales; Siam Paragon, two other malls shut doors

Merchants from the internationally renowned shopping strip along Rama I Road, which is targeted for a anti-Thaksin rally today, called on the protest leaders yesterday to select a new venue, fearing the huge gathering will scare away customers.

The shop owners from Siam Square, Siam Paragon, Siam Centre, Siam Discovery Centre, Central World Plaza and MBK Centre issued a joint statement outlining their concerns. Earlier in the day, Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery and Siam Centre announced they would shut their doors today and tomorrow.

Gaysorn Plaza, another ritzy shopping attraction at the nearby Rajprasong Intersection, said it would also consider closing temporarily if the situation became critical.

Siam Piwat Co Ltd and Siam Paragon Development Co Ltd, which manage the three adjacent malls, based their decision on reports of possible chaos along Rama I Road to the Pathum Wan Intersection and probably parts of Phyathai Road.

Employees, deliverymen and patrons would be prevented from entering the malls during the two days, the operators said.

The closure will force the postponement of several functions and the loss of tens of millions in baht in sales.

Executives of the two companies refrained from commenting on how much they stood to lose, particularly those at Siam Paragon which had to cancel its summer sales campaign scheduled for today despite spending heavily to promote its first sales season.

Siam Centre and Siam Discovery are estimated to take in a combined Bt100 million a day, while the massive Siam Paragon, which opened last December, can do that kind of business by itself.

Emilie Isidoro Singhabhandhu, general manager of Peppo Fashions Group Co Ltd, an importer and distributor of Guess, MNG, and Castro clothes with 11 shops in all three malls, was looking at losses of several million baht in revenue from the cancellation of the grand summer sale. "Too bad that the three-day event has to be postponed."

Sales at Siam Paragon are 30-35 per cent better than those of stores in other upscale shopping complexes, but the two-day suspension was an obvious move, given that anti-government demonstrations could be unpredictable, he said.

Nualphan Lamsam, managing director of Saint Honore (Bangkok), the sole distributor of Hermes products in Thailand, also backed the malls' decision.

"We're losing some clients but I guess the resignation of the prime minister may boost long-term confidence in the Thai economy. If that's the case, it's worthwhile," she told a group of reporters.

Pornchanok Khongdechakul said there was an 80-per-cent chance that she would lock up her Ballet shoe store in Siam Square, as traffic jams would keep shoppers away.

The "Do Re Mi" CD shop owner refused to close during the two days. "I'm really fed up with the protests. They should end as soon as possible."

Parinda Hasdarngkul, managing director of Procter & Gamble Trading (Thailand) Ltd, said the assembly in the key shopping district would depress the mood of consumers, who could tighten their purse strings out of a lack of confidence in the economy. This would hurt the company, even though it sells daily necessities.

"They (the protesters) should remain there for a few days only, or the impact would be more severe," she said.

Traders around the five malls and in Siam Square were more hostile.

In their statement, which contained no trace of the sender, they said "the gathering would drive away both Thai and foreign shoppers".

"We will lose money. We're not rich guys and to close the shops for three to four days would greatly affect us."

They cited three reasons for wanting the protesters to stay out. First, the planned venue in front of Siam Paragon is close to Sa Pathum Royal Palace. Second, the venue is in the inner city area, which could cause traffic havoc for the entire city. Third, large crowds of shoppers regularly go to the area and the chaos would hurt Thailand's image.

Traffic Police commissioner Phanu Kerdlarpphol said anti-Thakin protestors could be charged with breaking the law if they disrupted vehicle flows in front of Siam Paragon and other shopping centres.

Core members of the People's Alliance for Democracy could be arrested and fined Bt500 each.

He warned that road closures in the area could snarl traffic in many parts of the capital.

Sondhi Limthongkul, a leader of the alliance, said a stage would be set up on Rama I Road in front of Pathumnaram Temple, on the east side of Siam Paragon.

The stage would face west in the direction of the National Stadium. He said one lane out of the six inbound and outbound lanes would be left open to vehicular traffic.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Wednesday 29 March 2006 :-

PAD-led protesters reach Siam Paragon

The anti-Thaksin protesters reach Siam Paragon at 4:10 pm Wednesday.

The protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy marched from the National Stadium.

The procession had a team of motorcyclists to lead it.

The entire procession was now on the road in front of Siam Paragon while the head of the procession reached Henri Dunant Road.

The protesters occupied the Rama I Road from Pathumvan Intersecion to the area in front of the Pathumvanara Temple near Siam Paragon

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Wednesday 29 March 2006 :-

PAD-led protesters march to Siam Paragon

About 30,000 protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy marched from the National Stadium to Siam Paragon shopping mall Wednesday afternoon.

The march began at 3:20 am on Rama I Road through Pathumvan Intersection to Siam Paragon.

The march was led by Chamlong Srimuang, Pipop Thongchai and Somsak Kosaisuk, three of the five decision makers of PAD.

People alongside the road waved in support for the protesters.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Wednesday 29 March 2006 :-

Traffic police warn protesters

Anti-government demonstrators who disrupt traffic in front of the Siam Paragon shopping centre when they gather there today and tomorrow will be charged with violating traffic regulations, Traffic Police commander Phanu Kerdlarpphol said yesterday.

But police would mainly target core members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and would likely impose only a Bt500 fine on them. The officer predicted that the gathering at Siam Paragon would cause heavy traffic congestion throughout Bangkok.

PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul said a stage would be set up on Rama I Road in front of Wat Pathumnaram, to the east of Siam Paragon. The stage would face west in the direction of the National Stadium. He said two traffic lanes out of the six inbound and outbound lanes would be open to traffic.

Chamlong Srimuang, another PAD leader, said Siam Paragon was chosen as a demonstration site because the PAD wanted to raise the awareness of Thai society about the current political situation. He claimed a march along Sukhumvit Road past the Emporium department store last Sunday was welcomed by bystanders.

The PAD demonstration will take a break on Saturday and Sunday to allow its members to exercise their rights in the election on Sunday, he added.

There will be a heavy police presence around Siam Paragon throughout the two-day period, with a 450-strong force stationed at each of the three temporary command posts that have been set-up in nearby areas for quick response in case of crowd problems.

Frisking would be randomly carried out at all six entries and three exits of the nearby elevated Tanayong Skytrain station and the four accesses into nearby Siam Square.

Pathum Wan district chief Surakiat Limcharoen, said all public garbage bins along Rama I Road would be temporarily moved away to prevent explosives from being hidden in them. A 60-strong municipal police force would assist police in maintaining order, with a back up 200 to be put on alert for quick mobilisation.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra instructed police and government agencies to collect evidence against members of the anti-government movement to use in criminal or civil lawsuits for any violation of law and personal rights of any individuals.

Thaksin, speaking through a video conference link from his home in Chiang Mai, said he thought the gathering in front of Siam Paragon was intended to provoke the government to disperse them by force in order to stop the April 2 election from materialising.

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Wednesday 29 March 2006 :-

Political paradox at Siam Paragon

Shoppers who visit Siam Paragon are often amazed at the stupendous size of the place. It can take a visitor all day or more to stroll through all far-flung corners of the luxury mall.

Though not the only shopping palace in Bangkok that flogs foreign brand-name products, Siam Paragon is the biggest, touting every chic shop from Mikimoto to Hermes. The mall's temperature is always cool, the ceilings tall, the bathrooms spacious and clean - all to match the champagne taste of its customers.

Alas, these fascinating scenes will vanish when anti-Thaksin protesters arrive to camp out in front of Siam Paragon this afternoon.

All three malls that line the left side of the bustling shopping boulevard - including Siam Centre and Siam Discovery Centre - have decided to close down today and tomorrow to avoid the headache.

It is quite a good decision as chaos spurred by rally could be unpredictable. What if people walk in and out of the mall to use the fancy toilets or break into Mikimoto and snap up a pricey pearl necklace? Nobody would be clearly held responsible - just as in the case on Sunday of a car owner whose vehicle was scratched by a protester's flagstick. Who's to blame?

The People's Alliance for Democracy is not going to the swank Siam Paragon area to shop but to woo middle-class dissidents. So closing the mall poses no trouble. There's still the worry about restrooms for the huge number of protesters, but the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration should stand ready to supply mobile toilets, as always.

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PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN, March 30 (TNA) - More than 30 local communities in Hua Hin municipality in this upper southern resort province of Prachuap Khiri Khan have opposed the participation of anti-government campaigners led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in a planned mass rally at Hua Hin Beach on April 1 in honour of His Majesty the King on the auspicious occasion of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty's ascension to the throne.

Representatives of the 34 communities met municipal authorities Thursday morning to express their objection to the PAD's move.

They claimed that the campaigners' intention is still in question whether there is any hidden agenda.

The local residents also cited traffic woes and adverse effects on the local tourism caused by the PAD's move as their reasons.

Maj. Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, a PAD core member, has announced that he will lead members of the anti-government movement to join the April 1 rally dubbed the "Caravan of People who love His Majesty the King", aimed to pay tribute to the revered and beloved Thai monarch in this auspicious year.

The Hua Hin municipal authorities pledged to convey the local residents' messages to Maj. Gen. Chamlong.

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PHRA NAKHON SI AYUTTHAYA, March 30 (TNA) – Provincial governors who secured a high turnout in the general election on Sunday would be rewarded by the government, Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana said Wednesday.

He made the pledge while inspecting preparations for the snap April 2 poll in this central province.

The interior minister said the government was concerned the election boycott being staged by the three main opposition parties would discourage voters from casting their ballots.

The opposition Democrat, Chart Thai and Mahachon parties have demanded Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra step down, saying he has lost political legitimacy and lacks the ethics to head the government.

Mr. Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party is now the only major party fielding candidates.

The interior minister also expressed concern about the impact of a low turnout on the April 19 senate election.

He called on provincial governors and civil servants to step up the campaign to encourage people to cast their votes.

“The governors and all civil servants should support the public relations campaign to persuade the people to exercise their right,” he said.

Air Chief Marshal Kongsak said every provincial governor who managed to secure a turnout of 80-90 per cent would be rewarded, without specifying exactly what their reward would be.

The interior minister also urged civil servants to be neutral, as there would be the election commission staff and international monitoring agencies in place to observe the election.

The government wanted a clean and clear election, he added.(TNA) –E003

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PHRA NAKHON SI AYUTTHAYA, March 30 (TNA) – Provincial governors who secured a high turnout in the general election on Sunday would be rewarded by the government, Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana said Wednesday.

He made the pledge while inspecting preparations for the snap April 2 poll in this central province.

The interior minister said the government was concerned the election boycott being staged by the three main opposition parties would discourage voters from casting their ballots.

The opposition Democrat, Chart Thai and Mahachon parties have demanded Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra step down, saying he has lost political legitimacy and lacks the ethics to head the government.

Mr. Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party is now the only major party fielding candidates.

The interior minister also expressed concern about the impact of a low turnout on the April 19 senate election.

He called on provincial governors and civil servants to step up the campaign to encourage people to cast their votes.

“The governors and all civil servants should support the public relations campaign to persuade the people to exercise their right,” he said.

Air Chief Marshal Kongsak said every provincial governor who managed to secure a turnout of 80-90 per cent would be rewarded, without specifying exactly what their reward would be.

The interior minister also urged civil servants to be neutral, as there would be the election commission staff and international monitoring agencies in place to observe the election.

The government wanted a clean and clear election, he added.(TNA) –E003

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STR
359 words
30 March 2006
15:30
Agence France Presse

Hotel bookings in Bangkok are likely to slump by as much as 10 percent in March with political paralysis expected to continue following elections Sunday, industry officials said.

Occupancy rates in the Thai capital's top hotels could fall to around 60 percent as Asian tourists, especially from Singapore, stopped booking trips to Thailand, said Surapong Techaruvichit, an advisor to the Thai Hotels Association.

"The number of Singapore tourists booking rooms has declined significantly against the growing tourism worldwide. I can't think of any other reason apart from politics," Surapong said.

Singapore tourist arrivals in March dropped 10 percent to just under 10,000 from the same period last year, according Sa-ngiam Ekachote, secretary of the Thai Travel Agents' Association (ATTA).

The city state has been targeted by protesters demanding Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra quit following his family's sale of its stock in the telecom Shin Corp to Temasak, Singapore's investment arm.

Public anger erupted in January over the tax-free stock sell-off, which netted Thaksin nearly two billion dollars, and resulted in elections being called for this Sunday.

Around 100,000 people rallied in Bangkok last Saturday in the biggest demonstration yet, asking the king to appoint a new premier.

As many as 50,000 people rallied again Wednesday outside Siam Paragon, a sprawling shopping mall that claims to be the biggest in Southeast Asia.

The move into the commercial heart of the capital has suddenly forced tourists into the political fray, officials say.

"So far, we have tried to explain to tourists that protest was located in a limited area but now they are moving further into the capital to tourist attractions like Siam Paragon," said Sa-ngiam.

"There are some concerns that there might be confrontations between the anti-Thaksin crowd and his supporters," he said.

Tourism accounts for six percent of Thailand's gross domestic product. Asian tourists -- those industry experts say would most likely be deterred by the political crisis -- make up 60 percent of the kingdom's total arrivals.

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By James Hookway
674 words
30 March 2006
The Wall Street Journal

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra hopes a resounding victory in Sunday's snap parliamentary election will end a long standoff in which crowds of demonstrators have taken to the streets to demand his removal from office.

But the results of the vote -- which the main opposition parties are boycotting -- could prove to be a Pyrrhic victory for the former telecommunications tycoon that will raise further questions about his ability to effectively steer Thailand through some tricky economic adjustments.

When Mr. Thaksin called the snap election in late February, the populist premier was already assured of victory. Since he took office in 2001, his easy credit policies and cash handouts have endeared him to rural Thais, a majority of the nation's population of more than 65 million. They returned Mr. Thaksin to office in a landslide in early 2005.

But in Bangkok, where handouts command less respect, neither street protesters nor opposition politicians will pay much heed to the result of Sunday's vote. By refusing to participate in the election, Mr. Thaksin's critics hope to wrest Thailand's young democracy from a prime minister they accuse of undermining institutional checks and balances, and of abusing his power to further his family's business interests. The protests in the center of the city, which have snarled traffic and shut down shopping malls, appear likely to continue after the election.

"Most endgame scenarios paint a bleak outcome, with a high risk of political paralysis regardless of the election result," DBS Vickers Securities said in a recent note to clients.

For investors, the most worrying outcome is that Parliament won't be able to muster the quorum required to elect a prime minister, as could happen if not enough voters cast ballots in some areas. That could leave Thailand stuck in a constitutional crisis that could take months to resolve at a time when the country would otherwise be negotiating free-trade agreements with the U.S. and Japan, and tendering for a series of major infrastructure projects valued at more than $40 billion, as Thailand seeks to make itself an attractive alternative to investing in China.

Members of Mr. Thaksin's Thais Love Thais Party say there may be some legal remedies that will allow a depleted Parliament to elect a prime minister.

"Whatever happens, it appears Mr. Thaksin's ability to govern will be affected," says Song Seng Wun, an economist with brokerage firm CIMB-GK Ltd. in Singapore.

Although many economists, including Mr. Song, are maintaining their previous forecasts that Thailand's gross domestic product will grow between 4% and 5% this year, government officials and academics in Bangkok worry that a prolonged stalemate will have an adverse effect on the economy, delaying investment and hitting tourism.

In northern Thailand yesterday, Mr. Thaksin told reporters that the economy had taken a hit from the crisis, but that GDP growth could still reach 5% this year if both sides find a way to settle their differences after Sunday's vote.

The crisis began when Mr. Thaksin's family sold its controlling stake in telecommunications company Shin Corp. for $1.9 billion in January to a group of investors led by an investment company owned by the Singapore government. Angered by the way the Shin sale was conducted through the Thai stock exchange to avoid capital-gains tax, protesters took to the streets, turning simmering discontent with Mr. Thaksin's leadership into open dissent.

On March 23, a Thai court prevented the planned privatization of the country's largest power company, ruling that conflicts of interest and improper procedures meant that what would have been Thailand's biggest-ever initial stock offering -- and a milestone for Mr. Thaksin's economic agenda -- would have contravened Thai law.

This week Mr. Thaksin was accosted by three shopkeepers while he was eating noodles in a modest restaurant with his son. The three women roughly told him to "get out."

[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The Nation dated Thursday 30 March 2006 :-

Huge protest packs Siam Square : Will disperse at 10am today, regroup April 7

A huge crowd packed Siam Square last night in support of the People's Alliance for Democracy's protest against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his ''illegitimate elections'' on Sunday. ''We have succeeded in bringing our information to the people in this business district after campaigning in Silom earlier,'' said PAD core leader Chamlong Srimuang.

Since the Silom campaign led to Mr Thaksin being shouted at when he visited a noodle shop on Monday, ''now he won't dare come to Siam Paragon'', Maj-Gen Chamlong said.

Publisher Sondhi Limthongkul urged people to shun the prime minister.

Another PAD leader, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, called on people to wear black from March 31 to April 2 in protest against what he said would be the dirtiest poll in history.

Mr Somkiat announced that demonstrators would disperse at 10am today for a ''break from battle'' until they meet again on April 7 at the Makkawan bridge to voice their opposition to the ''illegitimate election''.

Two groups of demonstrators would go to the Election Commission and the national police headquarters after the demonstration disperses this morning, Mr Somkiat said.

In Chiang Mai, Mr Thaksin accused the demonstrators of damaging the economy while he expounded on his plans for his third term in power.

''The only thing in the mind of the protesters is winning. They have never taken the economy or the nation into account,'' Mr Thaksin said.

After the election, Mr Thaksin said, he would restore confidence among foreign investors through a series of road shows.

The PAD apologised for any inconvenience they may have caused by mobilising so many demonstrators at one of the country's main business districts.

''But by comparison with problems stemming from dictatorial leaders and a regime which will bring long-term deterioration to the country for generations, traffic problems are small and short-term,'' they said in a prepared statement.

New participants contributed to the massive demonstration on Rama I road.

A 40-year-old company employee who asked to be identified only as Chanakarn, said he came to the rally site with 10 friends.

It was the first time he had joined the anti-Thaksin protests and he decided to come because he could easily reach the location on the BTS train.

''I come here to send a message that politicians should realise they mustn't put the nation and national security at risk since the people who rally are educated and will not resort to violence,'' he said.

Wasit Yarnthoy and Veerachai Joyjanesilp, both 17-year-old students from the Ratchadaphisek area, arrived with a banner reading ''Love the King. Worry about the nation. Sucker, get out''. They were also joining the protests for the first time.

''We are good students with a GPA of over 3. But why is it the one who holds a doctorate degree can't read the words 'Get out'?'' they said.

About 1,000 current and former students from the Faculty of Arts of the nearby Chulalongkorn University, were among the demonstrators yesterday. They wore pink, their university's colour and carried banners with a message written in Chinese, Vietnamese, Burmese, Cambodian and English saying ''Thaksin, get out.'' and ''Thaksin, liar''.

The demonstrators gathered in front of the National Stadium at 3pm before marching to the shopping malls.

About 30 motorcycles led the procession, followed by pick-up trucks with loudspeakers and a row of sturdy men who hooked their arms together.

The men led the six-wheeled truck on which PAD leaders Maj-Gen Chamlong, Pibhop Dhongchai and Somsak Kosaisuk took turns to address the crowds.

But when the procession passed the Nimibutr Stadium, a number of leaflets attacking the demonstrators were dropped from an elevated train station. The procession received loud applause from people on both sides of Rama I road and on footbridges and elevated train stations. Many took to the street to join the march.

The demonstrators finally reached the Chalermphao intersection where Rama I and Henri Dunant roads adjoin.

There, a number of police set up a blockade. Mr Pibhop eventually convinced police to retreat far enough to let the end of the procession pass the Pathumwan intersection on Rama I road.

Traffic police commander Pol Maj-Gen Panu Kerdlarppol, who met Mr Pibhop, said that despite the demonstration traffic flow yesterday evening was light and smooth thanks to prior notice of the protest.

The demonstration saw about 100,000 people pack Rama I Road from Pathumwan to Ratchaprasong intersections.