BANGKOK - THOUSANDS of anti-government protesters marched to Thailand's parliament building on Monday, police said, in what one of the rally leaders claimed would be their 'final battle'.

Thailand's new cabinet is due on Tuesday to begin delivering their policy address to parliament, but the so-called People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) are demanding the government step down.

Protesters have been camped out at Bangkok's main government compound since late August, but many began moving to parliament on Monday evening.

'Our fight has only 100 metres left, so we ask for PAD supporters to gather at the parliament for our final battle,' protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul told the crowds still at Government House.

'Don't let the arrests of Chamlong and Chaiwat be wasted,' he said, referring to the detention over the weekend of key PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang and protest organiser Chaiwat Sinsuwong.

An official from Bangkok police said that about 2,000 people had gathered at the parliament.

The royalist PAD are demanding that the elected government step down because of its links to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The group began their campaign in late May claiming that the ruling People Power Party's plan to amend the constitution was aimed at helping Thaksin escape graft charges, and they stormed Government House on August 26.

The former prime minister Samak Sundaravej was forced from office weeks later after a court ruled he had accepted illegal payments for a TV show, and his successor Somchai Wongsawat formed his new government last month.

They are due to meet on Tuesday to discuss their policy platform at Thailand's old airport - which has temporarily replaced the besieged Government House - before addressing parliament. -- AFP

Read also:
Talks with protesters ongoing