Tens of thousand of pro-government Red Shirt protesters held a mass rally in this capital today, in a show of strength against the 'elite' group which they alleged, intended to overthrow the current democratically-elected government.     

In sending the signal to the group, they also held the rally to mark the 80th anniversary of the 1932 revolution that brought the present constitutional monarchy system in the country to replace the absolute monarchy system.     

They began gathering at the Democracy Monument in Ratchadamneon Avenue about 10am, with the police estimating that about 50,000 Red Shirt supporters would attend the event, scheduled to last until midnight.     

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leader Jatuporn Prompan claimed that the country's independent institutions were being used to undermine the current government.   

They include the Constitution Court's order to suspend parliament's reading of the Charter Amendment Bill, and the National Anti-Corruption Commission's ruling that Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit committed malfeasance certifying the sale of monastic land to a golf course developer.

The Office of Ombudsman's ruling that the appointment of UDD leader Nattawut Saikuai as deputy agriculture minister was ethically inappropriate.     

The latest was the move by the Office of the Constitution Court seeking the revocation of Jatuporn's bail on terrorism charges by the Criminal Court, following his alleged threats and intimidation with the Constitution Court, following its suspension order against the charter bill.     

All this while too, the Red Shirts had claimed that the 'elite' group was behind the removal of Thaksin Shinawatra's government through a bloodless coup in Sept 19, 2006.     

They feared the present government led by Thaksin's sister, Yingluck, may face the same fate, following recent developments involving independent organisations.     

"The three independent organisations are acting as if they are states within a state, by not respecting the elected leadership," said Jatuporn. 

"We will fight for justice without any fear," said another UDD leader, Korkaew Pikulthong.     

The Red Shirts also launched a signature campaign at the rally site in a move to impeach the Constitution Court judges for interference.

- Bernama