Crowds gather at the Victory Monument to join anti-government rally

Members of the public started gathering at the Victory Monument in Bangkok before noon today, to join an anti-government rally organised by a political grouping, who called themselves the “United Force for the Protection of Sovereignty”.

Among them are former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan, Phichit Chaimongkhon and Nithithorn Lamlua.

They say that the main objectives of the rally are to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and that all the coalition parties leave the government. They are also offering moral support to troops at the Thai-Cambodian border.

The organisers say that they will accept public donations, in the form of necessary items, which will be distributed to officials and displaced people in provinces along the border with Cambodia. The first shipment will leave Bangkok by truck this evening.

Police and city officials have been deployed around the protest site to direct traffic and maintain peace and order. Motorists are advised to avoid the area until 9pm and to find other routes.

The rally is scheduled to end at 9pm tonight.