My take concerning the tone and attitude this is taking once again, by all sides, is that if the elections do happen in October, there will be no high season. All will be too messy here. Pete
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CHIANG MAI, Aug 15 Asia Pulse - Thai Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra began his tour of the North Monday morning, alighting at Chiang Mai airport where security was tight amid confrontations between his supporters and opponents.
Mr. Thaksin and a few cabinet members flew from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, which is his first stop on his four-day tour of the North.
The prime minister and his entourage will visit four other provinces - Chiang Rai, Tak, Phitsanulok and Uttaradit -- during his August 14-17 trip.
The prime minister, leader of ruling Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party, made a three-day visit to three provinces in the Northeast, a stronghold of his party, last week to follow up on the progress of poverty-eradication projects amid criticism by opposition parties that claimed the trip was aimed at winning votes in the run-up to the Oct 15 general election.
Strict security measures were imposed at Chiang Mai airport as Mr. Thaksin arrived and spoke to reporters.
A podium was set up for the prime minister and media were not permitted to set microphones close to his mouth as is usually done.
The prime minister and his entourage were greeted by both his supporters and opponents at the airport.
The atmosphere at the airport became heated when the two groups, made up of about 500 people, were prevented from coming into contact by police.