Buri Ram is first stop for Abhisit

The ruling Democrat Party's popularity in the region has been poor, and the province is dominated by Newin Chidchob, the de facto leader of the Bhum Jai Thai Party, and his family.

Democrat proportionate MP Satasn Ngenmune last week showed disagreement with Abhisit's travel plan, saying Abhisit was visiting the province under Newin's influence.

Sutasn, a many-time elected Ubon Ratchathani MP, also threatened to resign from the party if it allowed Bhum Jai Thai to lead the government's election campaign in the Northeast.

Abhisit said Sutasn's opposition to his Buri Ram visit would be a government rather than a party affair.

Police have prepared to beef up security measures for Abhisit to prevent any violence erupting during his trip, as the Northeast is a stronghold of the anti-government red-shirted protesters.

Kasit due to report to police

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is due to report to police on July 16 to answer charges that he had taken part in the People's Alliance for Democracy's seizure of Bangkok's two airports.

But the Pheu Thai Party and the red shirts' Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship do not want to let him stay longer in the position.

Against the call for Kasit's resignation, Abhisit said he would allow Kasit to explain himself to police before deciding whether to remove him.

However, Pheu Thai would take several opportunities this and next week to pressure the government on his case prior to the holding of the Asean foreign ministers' meeting in Phuket from July 17-23.

An example is Thursday, when Pheu Thai would submit a letter to the prime minister calling on the government to clarify facts about the dispute over the drawing up of a plan to "safeguard and develop" the Preah Vihear Temple.

On the other side, the PAD - with 35 members also summoned on the same airport charge - sees the police order as a political tactic.

PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila, who is also secretary-general of the New Politics Party, said the government is going in the wrong direction.

Nevertheless, he and the other summoned PAD members would appear before police as requested next week, he said.