The group, comprising villagers from northern and northeastern provinces, has been camped at the park in support of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, while the PAD has held a massive rally outside Government House and plans others in several parts of the capital today.

The caravan's activities yesterday included a beauty pageant, an essay contest on democracy and election, a speech contest and a boxing match, said its deputy leader Attharit Singhalor.

The boxing was the most popular event because it had a Sondhi Limthongkul look-alike fighting Khamta, while a Chamlong Srimuang look-alike fought Attharit.

In the evening, the Caravan of the Poor held a candle-lighting ceremony, similar to a recent PAD activity, in order to "bring back the country's democracy".

Meanwhile, the group has assigned some of its members to guard the demonstration area against any ill-intentioned people bent on creating chaos and confusion.

The move was taken after a suspicious box was found near the rally stage yesterday at about noon. However, police later announced that it contained nothing more than packages of carbon paper.

Attharit also said the group would have a different member shave his head each day. This is a follow-up to 72 members on Friday shaving their heads to protest Thammasat Univer-sity rector Surapol Niti-kraipoj's call for a new prime minister appointed by His Majesty the King.