Members of the anti-government white-mask movement, or "V for Thailand group" Sunday rallied in several major provinces of all regions across the country. There were no reports of clashes with the red shirts.
The centre of the Sunday rallies was CentralWorld in Bangkok, where white-masked protesters faced off against a nearby red-shirt demonstration, where masks and photos were burnt. (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)
About 1,000 protesters wearing white Guy Fawkes masks gathered in front of the CentralWorld shopping mall at Ratchaprasong intersection, holding up placards to protest against the government, its policies and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
They also protested against the failure of police to prevent white shirts from being harmed by the red shirts at a gathering in Chiang Mai recently.
Meanwhile, about 100 red shirts also gathered at Gaysorn Plaza shopping centre opposite CentralWorld to protest against the white mask group.
The red shirts also burnt a coffin containing white masks and pictures of politicians from the opposition party before they dispersed. No clashes were reported.
The white-masked protesters then left CentralWorld and headed to Siam Square on Rama I Road. As they moved past the Royal Thai Police headquarters, the protesters shouted at riot police inside and branded them "Thaksin's servants".
The protesters gathered at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre at Pathum Wan intersection near Siam Square and then dispersed.
About 700 riot police were deployed at the Ratchaprasong intersection to maintain law and order and to prevent a possible confrontation between the groups.
Meanwhile, white-masked protesters rallied in several major cities in all regions without reports of clashes with red shirt supporters.
In Nakhon Ratchasima, more than 500 people wearing white masks paraded in the downtown area and gathered at the Thao Suranaree monument to protest against the government's policies, such as the rice-pledging scheme and the 2.2 trillion baht infrastructure loan.
In Udon Thani, which is a major stronghold of the red shirts, more than 40 white-masked protesters rallied at Udon Thani municipality. About 155 riot police officers were deployed to control the situation. No red shirt members came out to hold a counter-rally because they were attending a party to mark the 61st birthday of Kwanchai Praipana, the leader of the local chapter of their movement.
In Buri Ram municipality, more than 200 people in white masks turned up to demand the ouster of the government.
In Tak, a group of 50 people in white masks gathered at a bridge across the Ping River in Muang district.
In Songkhla, more than 100 white-masked people rallied on Chana Road in Songkhla municipality. They also distributed leaflets calling on people to join forces to protest against the government.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat, more than 300 white-masked protesters gathered at a public ground in Muang district to oppose the "Thaksin regime".