Protesters are also angry about the ousted premier's visit last week to neighboring Cambodia, which refused to extradite him, sparking a diplomatic row.

Police said 6,000 demonstrators were present by 5pm yesterday, making it one of the biggest protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy since its weeklong seizure of Bangkok's two airports late last year, which helped weaken a pro-Thaksin administration that lost power last December.

PAD's re-emergence on the street will add to the tension in Bangkok, where Thaksin's "red shirts" have stepped up their anti-government protests in recent weeks and will be galvanized by his appearance so close to home in Cambodia. The PAD brings together royalists, businessmen, academics and the urban middle classes opposed to Thaksin's attempt to shake up the business and political establishment.

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Allegations of Thaksin's irreverence toward revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej were revived last week after an interview he gave to Britain's Times newspaper in which he reportedly blamed "palace circles" for his downfall, taking care to exclude the king from any criticism.

Protesters are also angry at Cambodia's appointment of the fugitive premier as an economic adviser.

REUTERS