BANGKOK - Anti government protesters began gathering on Friday for what they promise will be a "million-man march" in coming days to paralyze Thailand's capital and force the government to call elections.

About 40,000 soldiers and police fanned out across the city as several thousand red-shirted supporters of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra began gathering in one of the biggest challenges yet to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

But the political turbulence has failed to shatter confidence in Thailand's financial markets. Many investors and political analysts doubt even violent protests will derail the government, which is backed by the military's top brass and the urban elite.