Channel 11, which is run by the Public Relations Department, and iTV - which until recently had been owned in part by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's family - restricted their coverage to hourly reports.

The reports contained few details about the rally that drew about 100,000 people and did not broadcast the lively performances.

Special reports began on iTV at 7am when Thaksin made a speech in his home province of Chiang Mai. Another speech, in Khon Kaen at 11 am, was also broadcast.

From 1pm to 3pm, iTV turned its attention to candidates registering to run in the April 2 general election.

Channel 11 mentioned the rally only once in its 4pm hourly report, without going into detail.

Business interests continued to sway the media through state concessions, said Suphong Limthana-kul, a National Telecommunica-tions Committee member.