Thousands gather at Lumpini Park to show support for Prayut

Supporters of Prayut Chan-o-cha flock to Lumpini Park in a walking campaign to counter the run against him at Suan Rot Fai on Sunday. (Photo from @CheerLung Facebook account)

About 10,000 people gathered at Lumpini Park in Bangkok on Sunday morning to show support for Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to remain as the country's prime minister, according to media reports.

The gathering began simultaneously with another event at Suan Rot Fai or Vachirabenjatas Park where a large number of people rallied to call for Gen Prayut's ouster. Anti-Prayut runs were also reported in other provinces.

At about 5.30am, Prayut supporters began to turn up at Gate No 4 of Lumpini Park, the rendezvous point, to receive T-shirts and caps bearing the words "Dern Cheer Lung" (Walk for Prayut) from the event's organisers.

They gathered and sang the national anthem to pay respect to the national flag and chanted a Buddhist prayer at 8am before starting the walk at about 8.30am, carrying billboards and banners with messages showing support for Gen Prayut.

The number of Prayut supporters later swelled to about 10,000.

Thitimon Cottan, 52, a state enterprise employee, said she joined the rally for wanting Gen Prayut to continue serving the country as prime minister because, in her opinion, he is the person who has returned peace and made many contributions for the betterment of the country.

Ten mobile toilets were deployed at the park for the participants. The rally was to be end at 11.30am.