Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban on Friday night announced an all-out drive to eradicate the "Thaksin regime" to the biggest crowd yet for the campaign led by his Democrat Party.
Democrat Party member Suthep Thaugsuban, addressing protesters at Democracy Monument on Friday night, says the amnesty bill was only "the tip of the evils" they must eliminate. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
The former Surat Thani MP told about 50,000 people that the struggle must now go beyond the amnesty bill.
"The amnesty bill is only the tip of the evils of the Thaksin regime," he said, referring to fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and the Pheu Thai government currently led by his sister Yingluck.
"The only way to end this problem is to uproot the Thaksin regime."
He announced four more steps to achieve the goal, including the impeachment of all 310 MPs who for the contentious amnesty bill; boycotting all officials "serving the regime"; boycotting products and services linked to Thaksin; and calling for a nationwide strike by officials.
The MPs voted in early hours of Nov 1 to approve the bill aimed at giving a blanket amnesty to all those involved in political unrest and all court cases back to 2004.
Facing widespread opposition from all quarters, the Pheu Thai Party and the government retreated and the bill was finally killed by the Senate last Monday.
Under the law the bill must be sent back to the House of Representatives for reconsideration after 180 days. The leaders of the coalition parties last weekend signed a pledge that they would allow the bill to die but many people don't believe they will keep their word.
Mr Suthep, who resigned as an MP to lead the rally on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, said the impeachment move would begin on Saturday. He vowed to complete the process by Tuesday and urged protesters to sign a petition.
He also urged an even bigger turnout of people and support for government officials to go ahead with a work stoppage.
"We will move forward to wipe out the Thaksin regime," he said amid cheers of the demonstrators converging on the avenue from the Panfah Bridge to Khok Wua intersection.
The demonstrators began gathering at the monument early in the afternoon and by evening they occupied the road. They were joined by the white-mask V for Thailand Movement and other groups.
The Centre for Administration of Peace and Order counted the demonstrators at 21,000 and deployed 9,000 police to handle the rally.
Another group comprising the Anti-Thaksin Coalition and the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand has not moved to Democracy Monument but they say they support what the Democrats are doing.
The government has pledged not to use force to end the rallies.
Earlier Friday, the Democrat Party submitted a petition to the Senate seeking the removal from office of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, her deputy Plodprasop Suraswadi and Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan.
The party also filed a motion for a no-confidence debate in the House, targeting the prime minister and Mr Charupong. The impeachment motion is the first step in the process.
The impeachment petition, received by Deputy Senate Speaker Surachai Liangboonlertchai, was signed by 146 Democrat MPs.
It was submitted by opposition chief whip Jurin Laksanavisit.
The petition said impeachment is sought on grounds that Ms Yingluck, Mr Plodprasop and Mr Charupong had failed in administering the country, looking for self-interest rather than the benefit of the kingdom, had violated the law, committed corruption and caused social division.
Mr Jurin said details of the accusations would be made known during the no-confidence debate in parliament.
Deputy speaker Surachai said after receiving the petition it would be examined and the names and signatures checked. This would take 15 days.