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Thai Post said that Abhisit's visit became the most-anticipated event of the weekend, while the government didn't have to spend a baht to advertise it.

Abhisit assigned one minister to touch base with people in two provinces each, in an effort to make the public understand the economic stimulus policy. However, the protests and demonstrations by the opposition red shirts, who vowed to interrupt the provincial visits by Cabinet members, simply drummed up publicity for the government effort, partly because the role of political officials would be crucial in determining the security of the visiting ministers.

Prime Minister Abhisit said the opposition's protest was simply freedom of expression. Nonetheless, police and military officials stationed in the provinces would have to be fully alert to prevent any undesirable incidents during the high-profile visits.

It was not surprising that some had criticised the "one minister, two provinces" policy and whether it is appropriate amidst the current situation in which society remains divided. The news of red-shirted protesters throwing bottles at the prime minister's convoy caused concern to people who want to see a peaceful ending to the political impasse.

The paper said that Abhisit's trip to the provinces was a political strategy to win over the masses and the red shirts, but under the current political situation, the government could not overlook the fact that visits to some areas could cause ill-intentioned people to seek out victims. If this turned out to be the case, it would again adversely affect the country's image.

Thai Post summed up that it hoped each minister, including the prime minister, would carefully consider the visits and look for the most appropriate ways to reach out to people and avoid anything that might instigate some to cause violence. The threat to remove provincial governors or officials if any minister was hurt by protesters, would not only destroy the alliance for peace but would create more enemies. Thai Post warned the government not to be carried away by power.

Krungthep Turakit criticised red-shirt protesters who pelted the prime minister during his provincial visit. It said that people were entitled to the right to protest peacefully under the 2007 Constitution. But some protesters resorted to violence by throwing bottles of water at the PM's entourage.

The paper urged government officials to take action against protesters who use violence or break the law, citing the People's Alliance for Democracy's seizure of Suvarnabhumi Airport and the NBT TV station last year.

Finally, the paper urged the Abhisit government to strictly enforce the law to prevent such protests from happening again.

Otherwise, it might create a new political culture where violence became the norm.