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According to unofficial poll results, the opposition parties retained seats only in the Northeast and Lampang while losing their previous three seats to the Democratled coalition parties.

As a result, the government's majority was boosted to 255 from 236 compared to the opposition's 205 MPs, up from 195.

Widespread redshirted antigovernment protests ahead of the byelections in 22 provinces were partly blamed for the opposition parties' losses.

Critics said the protesters' move could have backfired because some voters had become tired of endless protests and inappropriate tactics such as egg attacks.

For example, former premier Chuan Leekpai of the Democrat Party, was attacked with eggs by protesters in the northern province of Lampoon while campaigning for a government MP candidate.

Chuan was also attacked by protesters while visiting Lopburi, another byelection province.

Banyat Banthadthan, another Democratic leader, also faced the egg attack while campaigning for the government in Pathumthani province.

In addition, the redshirted movement faced a drawback when its leaders, Nattawut Saikhue and Jatuporn Prompan were themselves discredited by members of the same movement in Buriram province.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who was also prevented by protesters to visit the late granny Niem Phanmanee in Ubol Ratchathani while she was still in hospital, yesterday thanked supporters for helping to strengthen the government's power base in Parliament.

"It means the people still want us to serve them so we'll have to really deliver results," said the premier.

Abhisit also played down the possibility of an imminent Cabinet reshuffle to allocate more seats to coalition parties since they had won more House seats.

Chinnaworn Bunyakiat, the government's chief whip, said there will be more government stability during this crucial juncture.

"It should be easier for the government to work, especially in Parliament, as far as the quorum count in the House, the vote to pass key legislation and the vote to survive censure debates launched by the opposition, are concerned," he said.

A major legislation awaiting parliamentary approval is the Bt100billion midyear supplementary budget to stimulate the economy hit hard by the global economic recession.

So far, the government has pledged to spend a total of Bt300 billion this year to steer the Thai economy out of troubled waters as caused by a sharp slowdown in export and tourism earnings as well as rising employment, especially among factory workers.

Chinnaworn said: "Now, the biggest challenge for this administration is to revive our ailing economy and mend rifts in society," he said.