"No matter how hard he works, some people still criticise him," said Mongkol Kinsunchan, a former Bangkok MP.

Thaksin's words, meant for

villagers in Maha Sarakham province, which he visited while touring the Northeast yesterday, would have no effect on him or the October 15 election, he felt.

While opponents of Thaksin might be unhappy with Thaksin's comments, those who back him would pay no attention to his words, he said.

"No matter what Thaksin says, those opposed to him still attack him and won't vote for the Thai Rak Thai Party," Mongkol said.

He admitted the party might fail in some constituencies because of the anti-Thaksin sentiment in Bangkok, especially those where the "no vote" beat Thai Rak Thai candidates last time.

Nevertheless, he believes Thai Rak Thai will take more Bangkok seats than the Democrat Party.

Wattana Sengpairoh, another former MP, said Thaksin had not intended to snub Bangkok residents, saying the premier was just disappointed that Bangkok people did not understand him.

He said the word "deceive" implied a political trick by which the anti-Thaksin group had attempted to attack the premier.

"We have to accept that some city people rarely follow the

political situation closely because they have to earn their livelihoods. So it is easy to persuade the people to join the anti-Thaksin side," he said.

"Bangkok people should look at themselves to see if they follow the political trend too much or not."

He said the last election had revealed to him that some people in Bangkok voted by following a political trend.

"Unlike other areas of the country, Bangkok is the only place where a political trend can influence how people vote," Wattana said.

He said he could clarify Thaksin's comments to his constituents and believed they would understand.

Wattana believed it would not affect his or the other MPs' political bases.

"I believe we will hold on to all 32 of our constituencies in the capital," he said.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation