Blue shirts to the rescue

The blue shirts, believed to be supporters of Bhum Jai Thai Party's strongman Newin Chidchob, parked six-wheel trucks to prevent the red shirts from moving their rally to Lam Plai Mat district, where Abhisit was scheduled to visit locals and hear their complaints.

The blue shirts carried batons and eggs ready to take action against the red shirts. However, the confrontation, which lasted more than six hours, did not turn violent.

About 200 red shirts travelling in 30 cars on the road from Nang Rong district towards Lam Plai Mat were stopped by people in blue shirts inscribed "Lovers of Buri Ram".

The blue shirts announced from a makeshift stage that they would not allow the red shirts to campaign against the PM. They said they would stand aside only when Abhisit left the province.

Both sides continued to shout at each other, but the war of words did not turn physical. The blue shirts pulled out at 4pm after Abhisit left, and the red shirts thereupon dissolved their rally.