Special Report: Crisis in Thailand

    BANGKOK, March 21 (Xinhua) -- North and northeastern farmers have started their pro-government campaign to urge eligible votersto go to the poll on April 2, local press reported Tuesday.

    The farmers, labeling themselves as "Caravan of the Poor", moved out of their base at Chatuchak park of the capital in a convoy of about 20 pick-up trucks and headed to Thammasat University on Monday.

    Their trip to Thammasat's main campus at Tha Prachan was proceeded under police escort to ensure that they would not go into clashes with opponents of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who have been rallying in front of Government House since March 14.

    Bunchoo Thammasan, a leading group member, said the farmers handed a letter to Thammasat rector Surapol Nitikraipoj, stating that they back the April 2 snap election, and called on all eligible voters to go to the poll.

    "We call on all Thammasat students and other people to go to the poll, and we hope the university will help preserve democracy by supporting the election," Bunchoo was quoted by Bangkok Post assaying Tuesday.

    The election is being boycotted by the three main opposition parties of the Democrat, Chart Thai and Mahachon. Rector Surapol earlier also voiced opposition to the election and urged Thaksin to step aside.

    The farmers will go out everyday to campaign for support for the snap election but would avoid sensitive places where they could come into confrontation with anti-Thaksin groups, said Bunchoo.

    Surapong Boondecharak, president of the Thammasat University student union, said the union was urging eligible voters to go to the poll on April 2 but to vote for no one as a way of showing opposition to the snap election. Enditem¡¡