Thaksin backers march on Bangkok

Mr Thaksin is still popular in the countryside

Thousands of farmers have marched through Bangkok in support of Thai Prime Minster Thaksin Shinawatra after travelling from the north on tractors.

The so-called "Caravan of the Poor" has promised to stay clear of protesters who are calling on Mr Thaksin to quit.

His opponents burned posters of Singapore's prime minister on Friday.

The sale of a firm run by Mr Thaksin's family to Singapore investors earlier this year has inflamed criticism that he is corrupt and incompetent.

At least 10,000 of Mr Thaksin's supporters, mainly poor farmers, have spent more than two weeks travelling down from the countryside in the north and north-east, which forms the prime minister's main support base.

Mr Thaksin's populist policies, including debt relief for farmers and a low-cost healthcare scheme, have meant they have remained loyal to the prime minister, despite increasing opposition to him in the capital.

"No other prime minister has been dedicated to the poor like Thaksin," Kasem Namchai, who led 3,000 farmers down from Chiang Rai province in the north.

Mr Thaksin's supporters arrived in Chatuchak Park in central Bangkok on Friday evening.

They pledged to steer clear of Mr Thaksin's critics, who have been holding daily rallies in a bid to oust him.

"We don't want to clash with them," said farmer Attarit Singhlor.

"We'll make statements and express our requests for the prime minister to help on land, land deeds and funding for organic fertiliser projects, then leave Bangkok," he said.

Drumming up support

Mr Thaksin was out of the capital again on Friday, campaigning in two western provinces ahead of a poll he has called for 2 April in a bid to silence his critics.

Mr Thaksin was expected to easily win the 2 April election.

But Thailand's election commission chairman has cast doubt on whether the election can go ahead as planned, because the main opposition has vowed to boycott, which may mean that not enough MPs are returned to convene parliament.

The protesters against Mr Thaksin are angry at the $1.9bn sale of his family firm Shin Corp, accusing him of tax dodges and betraying the nation by selling an important national asset to Singaporean investors.

They also accuse him of destroying democratic institutions, corruption, and human rights violations.