About 10,000 government supporters joined a United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) gathering yesterday in a prelude to a three-day rally to counter the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
Former PM's Office minister Jakrapob Penkair joined several key figures from the ruling People Power party at the assembly, held at Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi province. The venue was packed with people wearing red shirts.
It was the first gathering of government supporters since the Sept 2 clash between the pro- and anti-government camps on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, which left one UDD member dead and more than 40 people from both sides injured.
The special session of political talk show Kwam Jing Wan Nee (The Truth Today), hosted by Mr Jakrapob, Jatuporn Phromphan and Nattawut Saikua, was the highlight of yesterday's event.
Mr Jakrapob, a key member of the UDD, announced his return to the pro-government movement on the stage after keeping a low profile since he resigned as PM's Office minister in May.
"I am back," he said. "I've closely monitored the political situation and have come to the conclusion that we are now living in a society where a prime minister can be punished for hosting a cooking show, while rebels can walk free," he said.
Mr Jakrapob said that the UDD would act peacefully and avoid violent confrontations with other groups.
Major activities include a three-day rally at Sanam Luang, starting today. The government-run NBT channel will also resume airing Kwam Jing Wan Nee.
"I am confident that when people receive the right information, they will no longer support the PAD and will join our mission to protect democracy," said Mr Jakrapob.
The UDD leaders yesterday distributed leaflets to the participants, asking them to join the three-day rally to express their opposition to the PAD's demonstration and to purge the demonstrators from Government House, which has been occupied since Aug 26.
Many UDD supporters said they would join the rally as they did not agree with the PAD's agenda, especially the planned massive rally in front of the Royal Police Office tomorrow.
The PAD demonstration aims at pressuring the police to take responsibility for the Oct 7 clashes between officers and demonstrators that left two people dead and more than 400 injured.
"I think the police did the right thing that day," said Akhom Samlitdee, 56, a state enterprise official from Bangkok's Lak Si area.
Mr Akhom said the use of tear gas was appropriate to prevent the demonstrators laying siege to parliament. The police had to disperse the protesters, otherwise Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat could not have announced his government policy, he added.
"They did not overreact to the incident," he concluded.
Krittin Wattanachaiprakij, 51, a hotel worker, said to solve the prolonged political strife, the coup-engineered charter should be amended, as it contains flaws that could lead to more political problems.
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