Well seems like I will have to answer my own question re numero uno Buriram visit. ~~~~
VISIT
Rousing welcome for PM
By THE NATION ON SUNDAY
Published on July 12, 2009Boost for Democrat hopes of breakthrough in Northeast
The unstinting welcome for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in Buri Ram yesterday has raised the Democrat Party's hopes of planting its flag in the stronghold of Newin Chidchob, a core leader of its coalition partner Bhum Jai Thai Party.
Though Abhisit's choice of Buri Ram as the first province on his tour of the northeastern region has aroused much controversy and conflict within his party, colleagues were confident the visit would boost his popularity, which is already high there.
PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey, a senior figure in the ruling Democrat Party, described the trip as "very satisfactory" given the warm welcome the prime minister got from the locals.
Abhisit, however, said only: "The inspection of the area was fine" when questioned by reporters after returning to Bangkok in the evening.
Newin did not show up while Abhisit was in the province. Abhisit said Newin had not needed to as they had kept in phone contact.
A source close to Abhisit said Newin had stayed away because he did not want to be seen as trying to steal the show or invite criticism that the PM was visiting Newin's stronghold to boost his clout.
Democrat Party Ubon Ratchathani MP Supachai Srila said the party estimated that Abhisit's job-approval rating in the northeastern region was more than 70 per cent and the party was expected to win at least 15 parliamentary seats in the region in the next general election.
He said the Democrat Party would not engage in "political collusion" with the Bhum Jai Thai Party, especially in Buri Ram province, and would field an outstanding candidate in constituency 1 for a free and fair competition.
"We have a very good chance in Buri Ram constituency 1. We will select a very prominent candidate, because Isaan people go for the in-dividual over the party,'' Supachai said.
Transport Minister Sophon Saram brought a locally assembled Etaen truck for Abhisit and his team to take into remote villages and hear complaints from rubber and sugarcane farmers. The PM's team arrived to a cheering crowd, who tied a pha kao ma multi-purpose cloth for men around his waist in the local welcoming tradition.
The farmers asked Abhisit to raise the rubber price from Bt50 per kilogram to Bt60 and that of sugarcane to Bt12,000 per tonne. Abhisit agreed to help them.
Abhisit thanked the people of Buri Ram for their support, saying that if all his local visits went as smoothly he believed all of the government's policies would be implemented with great success. The PM vowed to visit every area to see what problem each faced.
The Democrat Party's Isaan commander, Sutasn Ngenmune, who had threatened to quit following the Democrat Party decision to kick off the PM's tour in Buri Ram, did not turn up to welcome Abhisit's team.
Police threw a security blanket over Abhisit, setting up checkpoints at every intersection. Police helicopters checked the areas he was to visit throughout yesterday.
-- The Nation 2009/07/12
TBWG