Supporters of Thai caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra disrupted the rally site of the Democrat Party in northern city of Chiang Mai Thursday evening forcing Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to cancel his speech.

As the opponents of Thaksin and his administration, led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) were rallying at the Election Commission of Thailand (EC) headquarters in Bangkok on Friday, hundreds of Thaksin's supporters blocked the road outside the Chiang Mai University where Democrat Party planned to hold a speech.

Thaksin's supporters occupied the road minutes after the democrats entered the rally site, showing anti-Democrat and anti- PAD placards. And then they broke into the speech hall in the campus and carried signs in support of Thaksin just before Abhisit could deliver his speech.

The protesters rushed onto the stage to hold banner in support of Thaksin and seized the stage, forcing the Democrat Party to suspend the rally.

Chiang Mai is Thaksin's hometown where he has many supporters. Recently, Thaksin received much cheer and encouragement from the large area across Thailand's north and northeast provinces where many locals thank Thaksin for his pro-agriculture policies.

Source: Xinhua