Demonstrators at Government House have settled in for a long struggle to oust Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra after security tsar Police General Chidchai Vanasatidya was promoted to first deputy prime minister yesterday.

 The Peoples Alliance for Democracy (PAD) led a march of about 50,000 people from Sanam Luang to apply pressure directly on Thaksin at Government House.

The rally was peaceful. Leniency from police along the way allowed the marchers smooth and uninterrupted passage.

However, protesters interpreted Thaksin's promotion of Deputy Prime Minister Chidchai - a former interior and justice minister who now oversees national security - as his first deputy to be a direct confrontation of their movement.

"We understand that Thaksin's move is against His Majesty the King's message of reconciliation," said PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila.

On Sunday night TV pool replayed footage of HM the King's mediation in the aftermath of the May 1992 incident. Both Thaksin and his opponents said the screening was intended to favour their side of the confrontation.

Chidchai is reportedly keen to be in charge in case the government announces a state of emergency. He currently enforces the state of emergency in the restive South under the 2005 Emergency Law.

Thaksin's one-time mentor Chamlong Srimuang challenged the prime minister to arrest him and other key leaders of PAD if he announces a state of emergency.

The alliance expects it will need to continue its noisy protest in front of Government House for weeks, if not months.

The government could not use a peaceful protest to justify a state of emergency, Suriyasai said.

Protesters have plenty of food and beverages to ensure they can sustain their rally, Suriyasai said, adding that donations to the anti-Thaksin campaign currently amount to more than Bt6 million.

Thousands of people from Chamlong Srimuang's Dharma Army have built shelters on Phitsanulok Road in front of the Prime Minister's Office compound.

The Dharma Army would continue its non-violent protest to oust Thaksin, said Santi Asoke leader Samana Bodhirak.

"This time we will prove our peaceful struggle is a powerful means to have Thaksin stand down," he said. "If peace wins, it will be the great victory."

However, some protesters, especially those from the provinces, cannot stay for the long term as they have businesses to run at home.

Banharn Thongmepeth, an employee at an Egat Plc power plant in Surat Thani, said half of his 80-member group would return home today, and the rest could not sustain their protest for more than a week.

Some protesters from distant provinces were seen packing their belongings for departure today.

A protester from Buri Ram said he could only stay one week at the most.

Those who cannot continue the rally should return home to refresh themselves, Suriyasai said. "It's voluntary work, we don't force or hire anybody to join the protest."

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation