Tens of thousands of supporters of embattled Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra rallied Saturday just outside Bangkok, part of a three-day gathering to counter months of sometimes violent anti-government protests.
In their largest show of force in months, the pro-government "red shirts" said they are prepared to fight any move to oust Ms. Yingluck from office.
Red shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan told reporters his group he will not accept a coup or efforts to remove Ms. Yingluck from power through the courts.
A few days ago, Thailand's high court agreed to consider a legal challenge against Ms. Yingluck. The case was brought by anti-government lawmakers who said she violated the constitution by firing a national security council member, allegedly for political reasons, in 2011.
Ms. Yingluck is also the focus of a corruption-related probe about her role in a rice subsidy program that has cost the government billions of dollars in losses.
If found guilty in either case, she faces possible removal from office.
Ms. Yingluck's government has been hit by a wave of anti-government demonstrations since November.
At least 24 people have been killed in the protests, Thailand's worst political violence since 2010.
The protesters are calling for the prime minister to step down. They say her government is hopelessly corrupt and controlled by her brother, ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
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In their largest show of force in months, the pro-government "red shirts" said they are prepared to fight any move to oust Ms. Yingluck from office.
Red shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan told reporters his group he will not accept a coup or efforts to remove Ms. Yingluck from power through the courts.
A few days ago, Thailand's high court agreed to consider a legal challenge against Ms. Yingluck. The case was brought by anti-government lawmakers who said she violated the constitution by firing a national security council member, allegedly for political reasons, in 2011.
Ms. Yingluck is also the focus of a corruption-related probe about her role in a rice subsidy program that has cost the government billions of dollars in losses.
If found guilty in either case, she faces possible removal from office.
Ms. Yingluck's government has been hit by a wave of anti-government demonstrations since November.
At least 24 people have been killed in the protests, Thailand's worst political violence since 2010.
The protesters are calling for the prime minister to step down. They say her government is hopelessly corrupt and controlled by her brother, ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
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