One could feel the tension between pro- and anti-government groups at Thammasat University yesterday.

Inside, about 5,000 were attending the panel discussions and stage performances organised by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), while a few thousand more were gathered outside watching the proceedings on closed-circuit television.

However, things were slightly different across the road.

A few hundred government supporters had gathered to stage a noisy protest in a corner of Sanam Luang, with placards that attacked the military, PAD leaders and those said to have masterminded the September 2006 coup.

Everybody entering the university was jeered at, and leaders denounced the PAD and its supporters loudly on megaphones. Some unruly protesters even hurled rocks and bottles across the road, but nobody was hurt.

Police later intervened and admonished the troublemakers.

Tensions were expected

Earlier this week a pro-government group led by some People Power Party MPs cancelled its "parallel" gathering at the Royal Hotel, just a short distance from the university. It cited concerns about possible confrontation.

Inside Thammasat, audience members cheered every time a panel speaker took witty snipes at government figures.

Attended by one and all

It was a diverse crowd. A good few came from Chon Buri, and many hailed from as far as Phuket and Surat Thani.

Each had a different reason for joining the event. Some merely wanted an update on the political goings-on while others were hard-core PAD supporters who made it a point to take part in most of its anti-government rallies.

The ages of the attendants were hugely diverse too, ranging from toddlers brought to the event by their parents, through teenagers and white-collar workers to pensioners in their 70s.

When asked why they were attending, a few went into lengthy criticisms of ruling politicians and the government.

However, they all preferred to remain anonymous.

A 35-year-old said he and his family had driven all the way from Chon Buri just to attend the event.

This was the first time he had joined a PAD event, but he said he regularly watched political programmes on ASTV and the Nation Channel.

A 68-year-old engineer said he regarded people in power as voters' employees and that it was his duty as a "company owner" to scrutinise the actions of his "employees".

Everybody stood still in respect as the national flag was lowered to the National Anthem at 6pm, and both groups showed some sign of unity with loud cheers of "Chaiyo!" at the end of the anthem.

By Kittipong Thavevong

Daily Xpress