In an "electronic war" against the junta, former premier Thaksin Shinawa-tra told a large crowd of his supporters last night that he had become a victim of political persecution aimed at destroying his power base.

Thaksin, in an apparently pre-recorded speech, said he had not received fair treatment in the investigation of the corruption charges against him that led to the freeze on his family's bank accounts.

The ex-PM said he would return to Thailand to fight the charges and "protect his dignity" but not to re-enter politics.

"I wouldn't mind if it was just me they were persecuting, but my wife and children have also become victims, which I didn't expect to happen," Thaksin said.

He urged all sides to reconcile in respect for His Majesty the King's 80th birthday this December, but he fell short of calling for an end to the frequent protests by his supporters. Thaksin said he would like to see the next general election held as soon as possible.

The speech, which began about 9pm, lasted 28 minutes.

Organisers of the rally said earlier that Thaksin would speak live from London through a videoconferencing system or the Internet, but they also said that a plan B, a pre-recorded speech, had been prepared in case of a block by the authorities.

Reporters at the scene believ-ed that Thaksin's statement was pre-recorded as there were no questions and answers between Thaksin and his supporters and the ex-PM did not react to the sound of cheers and applause from the participants in the protest.

Thaksin appeared to be in good spirits, smiling and calm as he delivered his statement. Six large screens were set up at Sanam Luang to display the broadcast.

More than 10,000 people gathered to hear what Thaksin had to say to his supporters. It was the largest number of participants to date for any pro-Thaksin rally.

More than 200 police officers were dispatched to the public ground to keep order.

Police searched the participants before allowing them onto the protest site, as in previous rallies organised by the banned PTV, which has changed its name to the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship.

Organisers of last night's rally dubbed the manoeuvring behind Thaksin's speech "an electronics war" against the junta.

Information and Communications Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom said earlier in the day that he had learned that a pre-recorded speech by Thaksin would be shown to the protesters at Sanam Luang last night.

Jatuporn Phromphan, a spokesman for the rally organisers, said there had been attempts by the authorities to block the broadcast of the speech.

The live-broadcast service of the PTV website ptvthai.com could not be accessed before or during the speech. Access to several pro-Thaksin websites was blocked by the ministry.

Censorship has just been relaxed after a Constitution Tribunal ruling last month that ordered the Thai Rak Thai Party to be disbanded. It was the political party that Thaksin co-founded and led to victory in three general elections.

Natthawut Saikua, another protest leader, said that video CDs of Thaksin's speech would be distributed to all participants at today's anti-junta rally.

Authorities yesterday were on alert for signs of possible violence last night or today, when the protesters plan a march from Sanam Luang to Army headquarters.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said after a high-level security meeting yesterday morning that a state of emergency was among the government's contingency plans if there proved to be no other course.

The military yesterday suggested that government officials working in public agencies along Rajadamnoen Avenue not stay on at their offices after work and avoid working there this weekend.