Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva insisted yesterday that the party has not cut ties with anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban.
Mr Suthep is the party's former secretary-general and served as Mr Abhisit's deputy prime minister in the previous Democrat-led government.
Mr Abhisit also sought to play down an apparent fall-out between Mr Suthep and the party's deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij.
Mr Korn earlier this week told a media outlet he felt uncomfortable with Mr Suthep's tactic of leading crowds to seize government offices.
Mr Suthep on Thursday night told protesters at the government complex they owed Mr Korn nothing.
The protest leader also warned the former finance minister not to criticise the demonstration again or he would "face troubles in his life".
Mr Abhisit said the Democrat Party and Mr Suthep's Civil Movement for Democracy share the same goals, even though they are trying to achieve them through different methods.
"It's like some people are going by plane, others by train, car or on foot," Mr Abhisit said. "Those who are on foot should not criticise those who are on the plane for not waiting for them. Likewise, those who are on the plane should not view people who are walking as being too slow."
He insisted the issue between Mr Suthep and Mr Korn is already in the past.
"Mr Suthep is handling a major task; a national-level one," Mr Abhisit said.
"He would not take issue with small stuff. Mr Korn, likewise, is too far-sighted and focused on fighting the Thaksin regime to get stuck with this issue. It is over."
He added that it is natural for people who are on a journey together to experience frustration sometimes.
Mr Abhisit made the comment before joining Mr Korn in leading a group of protesters to submit a letter to the United States embassy to declare that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has lost the legitimacy to govern.
The group gathered at the Asok BTS station at 11:30am before marching to the US embassy on Witthayu Road.
Members of the Business Club for Democracy and alumni and current students of many educational institutes also gathered at Asok intersection to blow whistles in defiance of the government and join the march to the US embassy.
At Asok, Mr Abhisit joined in the whistle-blowing. He said he intended to join the protest to return righteousness to the country.
He insisted the protest will not end until the people triumph.
After Mr Abhisit handed the letter to the US embassy, Mr Korn made a speech in English from a temporary stage about 2pm. The protesters dispersed about 2.20pm