Shortly before midnight, the demonstrators began walking back to Sanam Luang. Protest leaders decided to call it a night after riot police made their third push about 11:30PM to clear them from outside Gen Prem's residence.

Police tried twice earlier to end the rally and arrest its key leaders after they marched from Sanam Luang through police barricades at Makawan bridge to Gen Prem's Si Sao Thewes residence.

The demonstrators, from the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD), called on the former prime minister to resign, accusing him of pulling the strings behind the military coup last September.

The rally started with about 10,000 sympathizers at Sanam Luang, but only about half of them gathered outside Gen Prem's house. About 8:40PM, riot police using teargas attempted to raid the stage set up outside the house in a bid to end the rally and capture key speakers. They pulled back in the face of strong resistance from the protesters, who threw rocks and water bottles. They tried again about 10:30PM but again faced strong resistance and withdrew. A number of police and demonstrators were injured. The army auditorium and vehicles parked nearby were also vandalized, police said. Rally leaders Weng Tojirakarn and Jakrapob Penkair vowed not to stop the protest until their mission is accomplished and Gen Prem steps down. Gen Prem's resignation would be a victory for democracy, said Veera Musikapong, a DAAD leader. A source close to Gen Prem said he had ordered authorities not to allow the rally to become violent. But a company of soldiers was now stationed inside the compound to protect the former prime minister, the source added. Eight leaders of the anti-government rally are now facing arrest warrants, which could be issued today. Metropolitan police chief Pol Lt-Gen Adisorn Nonsi said the key DAAD leaders will face charges of attacking police, damaging property and instigating trouble. Evidence will be submitted to the court today for arrest warrants, which could land them five years in jail and obstruct their future movements. The police targets included Dr Weng, Mr Veera, Chupong Teetuan, Manit Jitjanklab, Viputhalang Pattanapoukthai, Prateep Ungsontham Hata and Shinawat Habunphad. The other target has not been confirmed. The police decision was backed by Vice-Adm Pachun Tampratheep, private secretary to Gen Prem, who wanted law enforcement authorities to take action against them. On their way from Sanam Luang to Gen Prem's house, the protesters attacked police and officials at Makawan bridge on Ratchadamnoen avenue. A rubbish truck driver and his vehicle were attacked after he refused to clear the way for the rally. About 2,000 police were deployed to keep law and order. While Gen Prem was under pressure to resign, about 10,000 people gathered in Bangkok yesterday to counter the anti-government protesters. The pro-government rally led by Sondhi Limthongkul and Samran Rodphet, members of the People's Alliance for Democracy, took place at Lumpini park. They pledged support for Gen Prem and called on the anti-government protesters to stop attacking him. Revered Buddhist monks and Islamic leaders also joined the gathering, which ended before noon, and called for peace.

dragged pulled with difficulty and effort assaulted attacked physically retreated moved away from a place because you are in danger or you have been defeated clashing fighting, especially for a short period of time riot police police whose job it is to control groups of people behaving in a violent way in a public place call it a night to finish for the night key most important pulling the strings controlling events or the actions of people

resistance opposition, in this case, forceful opposition withdrew moved back or away from a place vandalized deliberately damaged, especially public property mission an important job accomplished succeeded in doing something source a person who gives information charges formal accusations that someone has committed a crime instigating causing something bad to happen

obstruct to block or prevent from moving or working normally backed supported law enforcement authorities police deployed moved in to position and made ready for action counter to go against; to oppose pledged promised revered greatly respected or admired