Some protesters clashed with police officers trying to dismantle the stage but no injuries were reported.

PTV protest organisers, led by former Thai Rak Thai Party executive Veera Musigapong, took to the stage at 4.30pm although the Bangkok Metropolitan Admini-stration had warned they risked a police crackdown if they went ahead with the rally without permission from the city authorities.

The speakers included former key members of the party: Jatuporn Phrompan, Jakrapob Penkair and Veera.

They called for the return of civilian rule while attacking the junta over its failure in handling the violence in the Deep South, its suppression of the press and its military-installed government's mishandling of the baht.

The protest leaders took turns to defend former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the policies of the previous government, while attacking the junta and the current administration. They were encouraged by cheers and applause from the audience.

The group also questioned the "suspicious role" of General Prem Tinsulanonda, president of the Privy Council, in the coup. Some people believed he is the mastermind of the power seizure, as key figures of the ruling administration including General Sonthi Boonyaratglin and Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont visit him at his residence and ask for advice.

Hundreds of metropolitan police and city police had been deployed in area since late morning.

The rally was initially planned to air grievances relating to the alleged blocking of satellite broadcasts by PTV.

Tension grew from early afternoon when city police tried to dismantle the stage in Sanam Luang. Some demonstrators intervened and clashed with the police, causing a small amount of pushing and shoving. The city police retreated shortly afterwards to prevent the situation from escalating.

Ruengsak Horarueng, director of Phra Nakhon district, said he assigned about 80 city police to dismantle the stage because the rally organisers were not allowed to use Sanam Luang. The field has been designated for the Traditional Thai Sports Festival from this week until April 7.

The organisers started building the stage at 3am and finished at 5am although they were informed that they could not use the venue.

The police tried to dismantle the stage again before the first speaker at 4.30pm.

However, they retreated after protesters threw plastic bottles and yelled at them. The police then formed a barricade.

The authorities started surrounding the protesters at about 5pm but backed off at about 6pm. By that time the number of protesters had risen to about 1,000. Later, several hundred more joined the rally, which continued into the night.

Council for National Security chief General Sonthi said he had ordered the Army to stand by in case the protest got out of hand.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn,

Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong

The Nation