Security forces guard Government House yesterday as tens of thousands of protesters rally outside.

Several hours before daybreak, a tense atmosphere hung over Sanam Luang. Birds in the grey sky overhead showed more signs of life than the sleepy masses who spent the night on the ground, even though activities onstage went on non-stop.

Despite their bleary eyes, most of the 10,000 sitting and standing waved multicoloured flags. They wore yellow pieces of cloth around their necks and "Thaksin Get Out" stickers on their shirts, demanding that the prime minister stand down.

Around 5.30am, people started streaming into Sanam Luang, waking up the overnight crowd, who refreshed themselves by heading for a free breakfast of hot soybean milk with Chinese donuts, or pacing about for exercise.

The most tense were probably the leaders onstage. From time to time, speakers repeatedly stressed two key things - today is the biggest day and it must be without incident.

"If we commit any violence, we will lose in the fight to make Thaksin get out," Chamlong Srimuang said.

Within an hour, the audience had swelled to over 50,000 and the drowsy crowd began to cheer up. Music onstage stirred up the protesters before rally spokesman Samran Rodphet quietened them down for a religious service.

Respected monk Paisal Wilalo asked everyone to pray through Buddhist chants for five wishes - no violence, no destruction of property, no provocation, patience (in facing any provocation) and respect for (different) points of view.

Once the bell rang after the service, the first group took off for their target, Government House, while the rest were asked to listen to music onstage while waiting for their queue's turn.

Each platoon had its own leaders who were familiar with the march's plan. After groups of guards, a big truck with loudspeakers slowly led the Dharma Army garbed in simple blue clothes. Behind the truck, a man and a woman held between them a photo of Their Majesties the King and Queen.

Altogether, 10 groups took part in the march, each with a truck with a microphone and speakers. Among the groups were students, rural villagers, farmers, artists, office workers, slum dwellers and state enterprise workers.

Although Government House was only a few kilometres away, the marchers took over three hours to reach it as most of them tried to keep their promise to listen to the leaders as well as to take the opportunity to educate people along the way.

Police lined the pathway, some helping to block traffic for the march, which filled half of Rajdamnoen Road.

Commuters seemed to enjoy what they witnessed rather than complain about it.

"We're sorry for creating a traffic jam," a group leader said. "But it's Thaksin's fault as he challenged us to go on a daytime rally instead of in the night-time as before. So, we came today following his invitation. But where is he today?"

Samran shouted through the microphone, following the so-called march song "Thak-sin Get Out". Guards prepared by PAD firmly held hands to separate the marchers from bystanders and the media on the footpath. "Anyone who wants Thaksin to get out walk down on the street," the spokesman blared.

Suspicions that these groups were paid or led by the nose to attend this rally faded away as the hardly controlled mass, dominated by Bangkok's middle class, took shape.

By 10am, the marchers occupied the parts of Phitsanulok and Rajdamnoen roads running to Government House. They staged a camp-out on the street and vowed to continue their vigil until Thaksin resigns.

As both the PAD and the premier have declared that their actions and reactions will be evaluated day by day, no one can be sure how long the rally will be on the street and whether it will be spoiled by tragedy. However, the first step was a good beginning.

It makes the PAD's declaration of "making history by bringing political change through peace" come a little bit closer to reality.

Kamol Sukin

The Nation

-----------------------

2,000 fall ill

More than 2,000 participants in yesterday's protest outside Government House were treated for minor illnesses, a senior official from the Thai Red Cross (TRC) said.

Of the 2,045 people who needed treatment, most of them were suffering from dizziness, headaches, stomach aches and minor injuries from accidents, said Dr Pichit Siriwan, head of the TRC emergency unit dispatched to the protest site.

The doctor said his unit would provide a 24-hour service to people taking part in the demonstration.

Tens of thousands of protesters had moved to Government House from Sanam Luang, where many of them camped out on Monday night.