Tens of thousands at mass protest in Bangkok

---

BANGKOK, April 8 (AP): Tens of thousands of protesters demonstrated Wednesday outside the home of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's top adviser, accusing him of orchestrating the 2006 coup that toppled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
All dressed in red, the massive crowd clapped and cheered as protest leaders called for the resignation of Prem Tinsulanonda, an 88-year-old privy councilor who police said was holed up in his home. Soldiers stood guard inside the compound and several rows of riot police blocked the street with barbed-wire barricades.
At least 40,000 people turned out for the sprawling protest by late afternoon, said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuaksuban. Rally organisers said the crowd size was 200,000.
The protest is the biggest challenge to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's four-month-old government, which became the fourth administration since the coup in a long-running political crisis that revolves around Thaksin.
The protesters say Thaksin was wrongfully ousted and Abhisit - who was appointed by Parliament in December - took power illegitimately and should step aside so Parliament can be dissolved ahead of fresh elections.
"Brothers and sisters, come out. If you love democracy, come out! If you want an end to elite rule, come out!" protest leaders aboard trucks shouted through megaphones. "Abhisit, get out! Prem, get out!"
Protesters have accused the country's elite - the military, judiciary and Prem's inner circle - of interfering in politics.
Prem has denied the accusations, but the rare public criticism of a king's privy councilor broke a taboo in Thailand, where members of the monarchy and their aides are highly revered.
Prem was indirectly accused of orchestrating the 2006 coup before; the last rally outside his home in July 2007 turned into a riot in which more than 200 people were injured.
More than 4,000 police were deployed in the area, where protest leaders vowed to camp for three days. Army reinforcements were on standby and authorities have urged the general public to avoid the area.
Wednesday's rally came after a two-week sit-in outside Abhisit's office, which at it's peak drew 30,000 protesters.
Abhisit rejected the demands for his resignation and said he planned to carry on with his day as usual.
Abhisit has repeatedly expressed concerns about violence at the rally, but said authorities will allow the rally if it remains orderly.
On the eve of the rally, a car carrying Abhisit was attacked by protesters, but he escaped unharmed. The Tuesday attack occurred as Abhisit left a Cabinet meeting in the coastal resort of Pattaya, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) south of Bangkok, where Asian leaders will gather Friday for a summit.
Thaksin, who was ousted amid accusations of corruption and abuse of power, has been addressing the protests via video link from exile. He fled the country last year before a court convicted him of abuse of power and sentenced him to two years in prison.