The fact that this trip was all about seeking votes was clearly evident at these venues some 30 or even 20 minutes ahead of Thaksin's arrival. Locals would hear former MPs of Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party already engaged in something that was little short of full-fledged political campaigning.

Former Roi Et MP Nisit Sinthuprai addressed the 1,000-strong audience at Huay Sai Kai canal in At Samat district of Roi Et province less than 20 minutes before Thaksin himself arrived at the site at 1pm yesterday.

"The Bt55-million budget [for the area] has not yet been approved. Keep the matter in your hearts, clap your hands, because you will surely get it," Nisit said through a megaphone in front of numerous local officials fully dressed to welcome Thaksin, who has set fresh record as the longest-serving caretaker premier in Thai history.

The speaker before Nisit was Kaew Waen, a female elementary-school teacher at Baan None Fah Luem Witthaya. She said: "Thaksin helps poor people solve their problems, so we love the prime minister. Those who lose their benefits don't like him. However, the cooperative of prawn farmers want him to be prime minister forever!"

Similar kinds of de facto campaigning to boost Thaksin and his party's popularity took place earlier in the morning when Thaksin opened a new groundwater supply at another site. There it was the turn of three other former Thai Rak Thai MPs, including Roi Et's Mangkorn Yontraku, to address the crowd before Thaksin arrived.

"Thaksin denied campaigning but he let his lackeys do the talking," said a Natural Resources and Environment Ministry official, who asked not to be named.

However, the past six months have seen a growing discontentment among some of the well-off and better educated residents in Roi Et town - and they are vocal enough to speak their minds against the premier, who was in town on Tuesday evening.

"My understanding is that he's here to campaign. I don't think it's right because he's using taxpayers' money to do it," said 55-year-old Petcharat Ratchathorn, owner of the small RS minimart.

Petcharat was at the cashier but also watching ASTV, the satellite channel of Thaksin's nemesis, Sondhi Limthongkul.

 "Whatever he lays his hands on is questionable," said Petcharat, who's also a veteran of the numerous anti-Thaksin protests in Bangkok. Asked if there had been any disagreements in Roi Et during the past few months over whether Thaksin is essentially a good politician or not, she said, "Division at the market is rife. Some saw me watching ASTV and came to argue. Even local teachers said they could only explain what's really going on to a few villagers."

Restaurant owner Suraphol Karngkorn, dislikes and distrusts Thaksin. "He's here to campaign. And it's ugly. If the man was good he wouldn't be selling off national concessions," he said, in reference to the Shin Corp-Temasek deal.

 He also feels frustrated when asked about the huge support among Roi Et villagers for Thaksin.

"These farmers don't know anything. They are given loans and so they think he's good. No one with a little education and access to news and information would support Thai Rak Thai. I tried to explain things to rural folks but they insist nobody is as good as Thaksin.

"Those who don't get it never will. But there will be no end. If Thaksin is elected there will be more violence," said Suraphol bitterly.

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

At Samat, Roi Et