Students made up the majority of the large crowd today -- all of whom are opposed to the government of PM Yingluck Shinawatra - with protests now in their second day on the island since the crowd first began gathering yesterday morning around 9am.
Students from Phuket Technical College, Rajhabat University and other tertiary institutions formed a rally - around 300 were on motorbikes and they drove around waving Thailand's flag and encouraging people to join the protest at Sanam Chai, opposite the hall.
Phuket business owner Boonrawd Kreamas, who arrived with a broken leg, told The Phuket News, "I want a new Prime Minister, and I want political change. Even though I have a broken leg, I wanted to come and make this protest even louder."
Phuket man Manosh Samat said he and fellow citizens "came today with love for our country".
"We don't mean any harm. Our boss gave us permission to attend this event if we wanted to."
Another man said, "The Government underestimated us by thinking there wouldn't be much reaction to what they have done - especially with the Amnesty Bill. Bad politicians deserve strong punishments - they cause us so much grief and shame for what they are doing."
Retired construction worker Manop Sakulkwannak said, "The solution to this is for Pheu Thai, the Democrats, and all other citizen representatives to sit down together and figure out a better way to run this country. We won't stop until that happens."
One of the organisers of the Phuket “occupation” said that the protestors would continue their occupation for three days - until tomorrow (Friday). However, he said, with Phuket being a small place, there are no plans to set up camp there, as everyone can go home for the night and come back the next day.
If, after three days, government officials continue to work for the government, the protestors will consider what further action to take.