Demonstrators demanded the restoration of democracy.

They distributed anti-coup leaflets and paraded with banners calling for an end to martial law, immediate elections and the ouster of junta-appointed administrators.

Surayud appeared stunned by the confrontation. He walked quietly past the demonstrators and into the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel.

He was delivering the keynote address at a sold-out Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand dinner. The subject was "Justice for All - Thailand in Transition: Challenges and Opportunities".

Surayud outlined the goals of the military-backed government over the coming year.

Protesters were escorted from the hotel by police who confiscated placards and other material.

One protester accused officers of harassment after being asked for his identification card.

"I'm not surprised. Thailand is under a dictatorship," said campaigner Chotisak On-soong. "We shall fight until human rights and democracy are restored."

The group's material denounced the Council for National Security as "dictators who destroyed the principle of democracy", imposed martial law and set up a "puppet" National Legislative Assembly.

"There have been attempts by this dictatorial council to hold on to power... transforming itself from military-police dictators to civilian dictators," read part of the protest leaflet that called for the reinstitution of the 1997 People's Constitution.

Pravit Rojanaphruk

Subhatra Bhumiprabhas

The Nation