The eggs missed their target - Mr Niphon Prompan, who is new premier Abhisit Vejjajiva's secretary and deputy leader of the ruling Democrat Party - but he was forced to cut short a religious ceremony.

More than 30 red-clad protesters shouted 'get out' and called for the dissolution of the government, a coalition which came to power last month after a court verdict dissolved the previous, pro-Thaksin government.

'Never mind, they will not be able to recognise me,' Mr Niphon told his entourage on his way to pay his respects at a Buddhist shrine in Government House, shortly before the egg-pelting drew the ceremony to a swift close.

Supporters of Thaksin, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and lives in exile to avoid a jail term for corruption, have vowed to continue protests against the government until it calls fresh elections.

They say Mr Abhisit's election by parliament last month was illegitimate as he came to power after the Thaksin-linked former ruling party was dissolved by the constitutional court on Dec 2 in a vote fraud case.

The verdict came after months of protest by rival yellow-clad anti-Thaksin protesters who occupied Bangkok's airports for more than a week late last year, causing billions of dollars in economic damage.

After Wednesday's egg-throwing incident, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the so-called 'red shirts' had a right to rally peacefully.

But he criticised protesters for also hurling eggs at former prime minister Chuan Leekpai in the northern province of Lampang on Tuesday as he campaigned ahead of a by-election on Sunday.

'Their acts against Mr Chuan and obstruction of political campaigning are illegal,' Mr Suthep told reporters. -- AFP