Thailand’s Prime Minister addressed “Yellow Shirt” protesters Saturday at a rally held in defiance of emergency rules banning political gatherings.

Police said around 2,500 demonstrators — many wearing yellow and waving national flags — gathered at a sports stadium in Bangkok, after protesters agreed a change in venue to avoid confrontation with the authorities.

Crowds cheered Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who spoke to placate demonstrators’ concerns over a territorial row with Cambodia.

Political meetings of more than five people are prohibited under a state of emergency imposed in Bangkok in April during mass anti-government protests.

But a last-minute deal to relocate the rally, organised by the Thai Patriotic Network, from outside Government House appears to have appeased authorities, which had warned the protest would not be allowed to go ahead.

Bangkok Post