He was greeted with shouts of outrage from a small group of anti-Thaksin protesters when he passed Government House.

"Two lady protesters came towards me accusing me of trying to hit them. Then, they called their friends," Ratanapol said.

"I was angry, so I challenged them to call their friends, five or six guys, I don't mind," he said. Police guarding the site managed to keep the would-be combatants apart.

"My wife warned me not to wear the headband because she's afraid it's unsafe. But I still wear it and cheer for Thaksin. Does wearing the headband violate the law?" he asked.

Ratanapol said he jogs every day and has never ended up in a brawl.

He usually jogs at Sanam Luang but switched to Pitsanulok Road to avoid the anti-Thaksin protesters.

Meanwhile, a 69-year-old government supporter yesterday escaped assault by anti-government protesters after he questioned how protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul could help restore the country's independence when he is broke.

Wichai Suwannapat, a Bangkok resident shouted at Sondhi who was giving autographs to his supporters that "Sondhi is bankrupt. How can you restore the country?"

Commotion followed as Wichai had cold water thrown over him and was about to be assaulted when another group of anti-government protesters tried to stop them from harming the man.