Thais March Against Military Rule

They're not quite ready to be Islamified.

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Several thousand opponents of Thailand's military-installed government marched through Bangkok's streets Saturday, staging their most defiant protest yet against the regime that came to power in last year's coup.

About 13,000 protesters gathered Saturday evening at Sanam Luang, an open field traditionally used for political protests, said Metropolitan Police Col. Manit Wongsomboon. Part of the crowd then marched several miles to the military's headquarters.

No violence was reported.

Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd, spokesman for the military council that helps run the country, said about 3,000 protesters gathered in front of the army headquarters late Saturday.

"They were using very foul language on the stage, but the authorities are using utmost patience to deal with their provocations," Sansern said.

Most in the crowd appeared to be supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in a bloodless Sept. 19 coup.