Thai Red Shirts' mass rally turn into carnival procession; Talks between government and protesters at stalemate

Some 10,000 motorcycles and 7,000 cars, pickups and trucks assembled into a 20-km long convoy and completed a 46-km route along the streets of Bangkok, while handing out leaflets reading: "We love Bangkokians."

Some 65,000 people joined the protest organized by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

"We succeeded on our caravan today. We were warmly received and welcomed by Reds and also many people of other coloured shirts," UDD leader Nattawut Saikua said.

Mr Abhisit offered Sunday to have his government hold talks with the protesters, but refused their demand that he immediately dissolves the House of Representatives.

The government would send Education Minister Chinnaworn Boonyakiat and Prime Minister's secretary-general Korbsak Sabhavasu instead of Prime Minister's Office Minister to hold initial talks with key members of UDD, Mr Abhisit said.

He said he would like to know the issues the Red Shirt leaders would like to discuss.

Mr Nattawut said that the protesters would deal only with the premier directly and not a delegation representing his government.