A marathon protest sit-in aimed at bringing down embattled Taiwan "president" Chen Shui-bian entered day three yesterday, as protesters braved bad weather and the start of the working week.

Protest organizers estimated that 20,000 demonstrators turned out for the round-the-clock campaign outside the "presidential office" in central Taipei.

The demonstrators, wearing raincoats and red protest headbands, resumed their anti-Chen chants bolstered by the appearance of campaign leader Shih Ming-teh.

Shih, former chairman of Chen's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), gave the thumbs down sign to the protesters who in reply yelled "Ah-Bian, step down!" referring to Chen by his nickname.

About 300,000 people filled the streets of Taipei on Saturday to start the campaign to demand Chen resign for alleged corruption, but the number dropped to 12,000 or so on Sunday, Shih's office said.

However, campaign spokesman Emile Sheng was undeterred, saying continuing the non-stop campaign was more important than the number of people actually turning out for it.

"Beginning from day three, the major challenges to us will be how to keep the protest running in the weeks to come. As long as people can sustain their enthusiasm and come to the square, no matter how long they stay, then I believe we will be able to build up pressure on Chen Shui-bian," Sheng said.

Taiwan media reports said Shih had refused the DPP's proposal for negotiations with him about how to call off the campaign.

"We people have to keep going to make him leave," said Wang Hsiao-cheng, 40, who works in the food and beverage industry. "We'll do this until he steps down."

Chen, who was elected in 2000 and re-elected in 2004 by a thin margin, has been questioned over the undocumented use of more than 36 million New Taiwan dollars (US$1.12 million) from his confidential "state" affairs budget of last year.

His wife, Wu Shu-chen, is accused of accepting millions of Taiwan dollars in department store gift certificates and his son in-law, Chao Chien-ming, is facing insider trading charges. Chen's ex-deputy chief of staff is also facing corruption charges.

"The graft is too extreme, and we can't tolerate it," said Chang He, 54, a self-employed designer.

"We want to give the next generation a correct direction on what's okay and not okay. A lot of things are unclear."

"We don't just want to watch the news, we want to see this in person," said university student Tina Chou, 20.

Chen has said he did not pocket any "state" affairs money but acknowledged that investigators have questioned him. He has also said he supports the freedom of expression of the protesters, who plan to stay put until Friday.
 
Editor: Yan