This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8566588.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Huge opposition rally in Thailand Huge opposition rally in Thailand
(about 1 hour later)
Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters have gathered in Thailand's capital Bangkok to press the government to step down and hold new elections. Tens of thousands of Thai opposition supporters have gathered in Bangkok to press the government to step down.
About 40,000 soldiers and police are on the streets in case of trouble. Protest leaders have given the government until Monday to call fresh elections.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva say he will not resign. About 40,000 troops and police have been deployed.
The "red shirt" demonstrators are mainly supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006.The "red shirt" demonstrators are mainly supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006.
Many of the protesters have come to the capital from Mr Thaksin's power base in the rural north of Thailand.Many of the protesters have come to the capital from Mr Thaksin's power base in the rural north of Thailand.
They have been making their way to Bangkok since Friday. AT THE SCENE Rachel Harvey, BBC News, Bangkok
The BBC's Rachel Harvey, at the demonstration, says there are about 100,000 protesters. The atmosphere here in the centre of the rally is very noisy, very boisterous, but it is jovial.
Reds over the land call on the government to return power to the people and to dissolve the house immediately Veera MusikapongnProtest leader class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8565646.stm">In Thaksin's 'red-shirted' country class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/7584005.stm">Q&A: Thailand protests class="" href="/2/hi/in_pictures/8566605.stm">In pictures: Bangkok turns red One of the challenges for the red shirt leadership is going to be to try to maintain that sense of order.
Red shirt organisers said hundreds of thousands would come. There are thousands of police on duty in full riot gear but they are keeping a low profile.
Many were gathered in front of a stage in central Bangkok to hear their leaders make the demands signalling the official beginning of the protest, says our correspondent. The other key test for the red shirt leadership - at the same time as maintaining order - is: Can they put enough pressure on the government to force it to give in to their demands, step down and call fresh elections?
The BBC's Rachel Harvey, at the demonstration, says there are about 100,000 protesters. Red shirt organisers said hundreds of thousands would come.
Many were gathered in front of a stage in central Bangkok on Sunday to hear their leaders make the demands.
One of the opposition leaders, Veera Musikapong, told cheering crowds: "Reds over the land call on the government to return power to the people and to dissolve the house immediately. We will hold out here and wait for an answer within 24 hours."One of the opposition leaders, Veera Musikapong, told cheering crowds: "Reds over the land call on the government to return power to the people and to dissolve the house immediately. We will hold out here and wait for an answer within 24 hours."
The government of Thailand says it has no intention of standing down.The government of Thailand says it has no intention of standing down.
Organisers have promised a peaceful demonstration, but said that if the government refused to quit they would step up their campaign.Organisers have promised a peaceful demonstration, but said that if the government refused to quit they would step up their campaign.
THAKSIN TIMELINE 2001: Elected prime ministerSept 2006: Ousted in military coupSept 2006: Corruption investigation beginsJune 2007: Thaksin family assets frozenAug 2008: Prosecutors ask top court to seize frozen assetsOct 2008: Sentenced in absentia for conflict of interest in land dealFeb 2010: Court seizes $1.4bn of $2.3bn in contested assets class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/1108114.stm">Profile: Thaksin Shinawatra The protesters, led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), say Prime Minister Abhisit had come to power illegitimately with the backing of the military and the Bangkok-based elites.
The protesters, led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), say Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had come to power illegitimately with the backing of the military and the Bangkok-based elites. THAKSIN TIMELINE class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8565646.stm">In Thaksin's 'red-shirted' country class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/7584005.stm">Q&A: Thailand protests class="" href="/2/hi/in_pictures/8566605.stm">In pictures: Bangkok turns red
Riot police and soldiers have been deployed outside Government House and other strategic points.Riot police and soldiers have been deployed outside Government House and other strategic points.
The military has been given extra powers to impose curfews and restrict numbers at gatherings if necessary.The military has been given extra powers to impose curfews and restrict numbers at gatherings if necessary.
The last major protests, in April last year, turned violent, with two deaths and dozens of people injured.The last major protests, in April last year, turned violent, with two deaths and dozens of people injured.
But this may be the red shirts' last chance to reverse Thailand's political direction, says our correspondent, with the movement tiring and probably running low on funds.But this may be the red shirts' last chance to reverse Thailand's political direction, says our correspondent, with the movement tiring and probably running low on funds.
Thailand has been in political turmoil since 2006 when yellow-shirted anti-Thaksin protesters began demanding the then prime minister step down over corruption accusations.Thailand has been in political turmoil since 2006 when yellow-shirted anti-Thaksin protesters began demanding the then prime minister step down over corruption accusations.
He was later forced out by a coup, but when his allies came back to power in 2008, his opponents occupied the prime minister's office for three months and seized Bangkok's two main airports for a week.He was later forced out by a coup, but when his allies came back to power in 2008, his opponents occupied the prime minister's office for three months and seized Bangkok's two main airports for a week.
Mr Thaksin is now living in self-imposed exile in Dubai after receiving a two-year sentence in his absence for abuse of power; his supporters says that case was politically motivated.Mr Thaksin is now living in self-imposed exile in Dubai after receiving a two-year sentence in his absence for abuse of power; his supporters says that case was politically motivated.
Are you in Thailand? Are you planning to take part in demonstrations? Send us your comments:Are you in Thailand? Are you planning to take part in demonstrations? Send us your comments:
Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you canupload here.Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you canupload here.
Read the terms and conditions Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions