The demonstration came a day after Thaksin addressed crowds in a recorded speech from London, urging the junta to push ahead with elections set for December and calling for reconciliation after months of political turmoil.

Police said about 10,000 people joined Saturday's rally, where they chanted "Fight, Thaksin, fight" under a giant banner reading "Democracy now."

Protesters also held signs reading "Junta out" and carried pictures of Thaksin to the plaza in central Bangkok.

The size of the crowd was rivalled by the number of security personnel, with more than 10,000 police mobilised for the protest and another 13,000 soldiers on standby in case of any violence, officials said.

The military also beefed up security around its nearby headquarters, blocking the road with metal barricades and surrounding the compound with barbed wire, said police spokesman Colonel Supisarn Bhakdinarinach.

About 150 police were guarding the home of the king's top adviser, Prem Tinsulanonda, who is accused of masterminding the coup.

Organisers had said they expected 50,000 to join the rally, which was due to last late into the night.

Army-installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Saturday he was ready to hold talks with "any parties" to bring an end to the political upheaval that has rocked the country.

"I am always ready to talk to any parties to solve problems," Surayud said on Thai television.

But the protest organisers vowed to press ahead with the rally.

"The junta should get out. Negotiation is good, but as long as the junta remains in power, it is useless," said protest organiser and Thaksin ally Jatuporn Prompan.

Earlier in the week, the junta gave Thaksin approval to return home for the first time since the bloodless September 2006 coup and fight to regain 1.5 billion dollars in assets frozen by Thailand's powerful anti-graft body.

On Friday, the 57-year-old deposed premier vowed to defend himself against allegations of corruption.

The assets freeze was just one of several legal blows Thaksin has suffered in recent weeks.

A powerful anti-corruption team set up by the military recommended in May that he and his wife Pojaman face charges over a controversial land purchase.