BANGKOK, (Reuters) – More than 100,000 protesters  converged in Bangkok yesterday and gave Thailand’s  military-backed government an ultimatum to call elections within  24 hours or face crippling demonstrations across the capital.

Singing pro-democracy songs, dancing, hooting horns and  waving placards, red-shirted supporters of former premier  Thaksin Shinawatra flooded streets in Bangkok’s historic heart  and threatened to stay for a week.

Most travelled from Thailand’s poor, rural provinces, piling  into pick-up trucks, cars and even river boats, and illustrating  Thaksin’s enduring influence on Thai politics even after his  ouster in a 2006 coup, graft conviction and self-exile.

Protest leaders hope a powerful display of popular support  will force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve  parliament and call an election that Thaksin’s allies would be  well-placed to win. They also want to convince wavering partners  in the governing coalition to break away.

“Brothers and sisters, don’t give up. Don’t fight for me.  Fight for the country,” Thaksin told supporters via video link  from an undisclosed location in Europe.

“I am a symbol of those bullied by the elite who do not care  about democray and justice.”