Thai economy: Divided opinions on government policies
18 December 2013 Last updated at 09:43 GMT
Thailand's caretaker prime minister has begun campaigning for February's general election despite the protesters who want sweeping reforms even before the elections.
Yingluck Shinawatra is campaigning in the north-east of Thailand, where support for her party is especially strong, thanks to the populist policies implemented by her and her now-exiled brother Thaksin.
The BBC's Jonathan Head reports from Udon Thani on the changes that have reinforced the government's support there.