Tensions rose in Chiang Rai yesterday when pro-government supporters clashed with anti-government demonstrators.
The confrontation broke out in the afternoon, near Phor Khun Mengrai Monument in Muang district, while pro-government supporters were marching on the provincial hall.
About 50 red shirts jeered and cursed at the 100-strong anti-government group. Both groups exchanged insults, which led to a scuffle breaking out.
About 200 police intervened, and managed to keep the two sides apart. Minor injuries were reported.
The red shirts retreated to the monument while the anti-government protesters marched on to the provincial hall.
Kanok Witsawakul, a leader of Chiang Rai's anti-government group, said the government lost the right to lead the country after supporting the controversial blanket amnesty bill. "We want the country to be reformed," Mr Kanok said.
However, Jiranant Janthawong, leader of the red shirts in Chiang Rai, said the protesters are damaging the country. She called on them to respect the results of the election that brought the Pheu Thai Party to power.
Outside Chiang Rai, anti-government protesters in major provinces yesterday also marched on provincial halls and called on government officials for support.
The provinces include Satun, Phetchabun, Nakhon Ratchasima, Ratchaburi, Buri Ram, Phitsanulok, Uttaradit and Nakhon Si Thammarat.
In Phetchabun, about 300 anti-government protesters marched to the provincial hall. Two deputies to the province's governor, Kaneethip Boonkate and Suchart Ratdusadee, met protesters. Confronted by the sounds of whistles, the deputies agreed to let the protesters in to the provincial hall.
In Ratchaburi, about 1,000 protesters who entered the provincial hall clashed with officials. The officials had shut the gate to the provincial hall to prevent more protesters entering. But eventually the protesters reopened the gate. No injuries were reported.
In Phitsanulok and Uttaradit, around 200 kamnans and 300 village chiefs took part in the anti-government campaign and marched to their provincial halls yesterday.
In Nakhon Ratchasima, about 3,000 protesters besieged the provincial hall and the governor's house. They said they wanted to seize administrative power from the governor.
Meanwhile, across Bangkok, the anti-government protesters were seizing key government offices, ministries and free television stations.