BANGKOK - SUPPORTERS of Thai fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra said on Thursday they would rally in Bangkok late this month to force the government to step down, pausing only for the king's birthday.

Mr Thaksin's so-called 'Red Shirts' will gather on Saturday, November 28, said protest leader Jatuporn Prompan, and remain until Dec 2 when ceremonial celebrations begin for King Bhumibol Aduladej's 82nd birthday.

'We will gather at Democracy Monument... before we march to Government House the next day,' Mr Jatuporn told AFP. 'If the government is still in office after the celebration of the king's birthday (on Dec 5), we will come back,' he said.

The group, whose anti-government rallies earlier this year ended with the threat of a military crackdown after riots across the capital city, will march to various state buildings to pressure Mr Abhisit to resign, Mr Jatuporn added.

The Red Shirts claim Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government is illegitimate as it came to power after controversial court rulings forced Mr Thaksin's allies from office. They want to see the return of Mr Thaksin, who was ousted by the army in 2006 and is living in exile to escape a jail term for graft.

Last week the populist politician caused a diplomatic uproar by visiting neighbouring Cambodia, and anti-Thaksin protesters held their own demonstration on Sunday, furious that he had not been extradited to Thailand. -- AFP