Sondhi Limthongkul, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, announced on a stage at the Royal Plaza on Wednesday that the PAD will continue with its protest rally until it acheives victory in its fight against the reconciliation bill which has been tabled for consideration in parliament.
Mr Sondhi said that whenever His Majesty the King's power is infringed on, or a move is taken to pass an amnesty law, the PAD will stage a rally like the one being held today. He said the reconciliation bill was aimed at annulling court verdicts in political cases delivered after the Sept 19, 2006 coup.
"Annulling a court verdict is tantamount to infringement on the King's power. However many days our rally will last depends on when we get victory," he said.
Seen near the stage were Maj-Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit and Gen Preecha Iamsuphan, former classmates of Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang in Class 7 at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School.
Yellow-shirt supporters of PAD began to converge at the Royal Plaza before noon. They planned to move their rally to in front of parliament at 3pm.
About 200 members of the multi-colour group led by Tul Sitthisomwong also began to rally in support of PAD on Pichai road near the parliament building.
Government whips agreed at a meeting on Wednesday chaired by Udomdej Rattanasathien to propose to today's House meeting that the reconciliation bill be moved up to the top of the agenda so that the House could begin to debate it tomorrow.