Power to the people; will Thais take to the street?

[Norseman]

No, things went quiet today lomu, and Mr T. is still in charge, just like before. What's the outcome of this protest march? A symbolic act?

Government critic Sondhi Limthongkul has delivered a fiery speech to a mass rally of more than 60,000 people, demanding the resignation or firing of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Sondhi criticised the prime minister for more than an hour and half tonight at a huge protest outside Governemt House, at the equestrian statue of King Rama V. The crowd chanted for Mr Thaksin's removal.

Following the speech, Mr Sondhi took a petition to Privy Councillor Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, requesting His Majesty the King to intervene in the political situation, where Mr Thaksin presumably was to be dismissed.

The premier, earlier in the day, said he would remain in office, based on the votes of 19 million Thais, who last year gave him and his Thai Rak Thai party the biggest election victory in Thai history.

"The only person who can tell me to quit is His Majesty the King. If His Majesty whispers to me 'Thaksin please leave,' I'll go," the prime minister told his weekly radio programme Saturday morning.

Mr Sondhi used that against him, blasting Mr Thaksin for suggesting he was a close friend of the king as yet another show of the prime minister's arrogance.

"19 million votes doesn't mean you can do whatever you want," said Mr Sondhi to the receptive, raucious crowd, accusing Thaksin of selling off the country to Singaporean investors.

Despite the strong rhetoric, the rally was peaceful throughout the day on Saturday, and into the night. Many of the protesters seemed likely to remain at the site all night, listening to music and demonstrating against the government.

Just before 9.00 pm protesters started leaving the rally site after Sondhi left to submit the petition to Privy Council Chairman Prem Tinsulanonda at Gen Prem's house.

Sarocha Porn-udomsak, a co-host of Weekly Thailand also submitted the petition to officials at the Office of His Majesty the King’s Principal Private Secretary.

Later, Sondhi and demonstrators arrived at the rally site after submitting a petition. Organisers of the rally then distributed candles to protestors.

Sarocha told reporters that she submitted the petition to Lekha Yangyuen, secretary general of Office of His Majesty the King’s Principal Private Secretary. She said the petition is identical to that Sondhi submitted at Prem's residence. But Sondhi's submission is a symbolic while hers is according to required process.
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