"They have no chance in Roi Et, and they don't need to come [to campaign]," said Boonyuen Chantes, 55, owner of a noodle shop in Roi Et municipality. "The Democrats had better save their campaign posters, because it's going to be a waste."

Boonyen said that at this point he could see no suitable candidate for the premiership other than Thaksin Shinawatra, leader of the Thai Rak Thai Party.

"Nine out of 10 people here say Thaksin is their man," he said.

In Roi Et's At Samat district, villagers from Baan None Somboon said that few people there paid any attention to other political parties, including the Democrats.

"They can't penetrate this area. It's hard to explain why," said one village elder. "It may not be worth campaigning here."

Residents of At Samat have become solidly loyal to Thaksin since he visited the district in January on a poverty-eradication demonstration that was broadcast live on national television. He also made a brief visit to the area earlier this week. Villagers say he is the only national leader who has visited them, stayed with them and assisted them.

Critics say the villagers have simply been bought off with handouts under the Thaksin administration's populist policies, which are detrimental to their self-reliance and to democracy.

Some locals did admit that Abhisit's television spot had made them think twice.

"It''' be a good thing if he can do what they claim he will [if elected prime minister]. I have nothing against him," said Pichit Panyasri, also a resident of Baan None Somboon, which has received aid from the Thaksin government.

His wife, Suphaporn, remained unconvinced, however, and was not happy with her husband's response. "I'll definitely not choose [Abhisit's] party. I'm a Thai Rak Thai person. Whatever we ask for, he provides," she said, referring to Thaksin.

Ploenpitch Sribanjaem, teacher at a local elementary school, said Abhisit's television spot had not drawn much interest from residents of the district.

A local official of the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry said villagers had laughed when they saw a recent televised image of Abhisit trying to plough a rice field on Bangkok's outskirts, saying he looked like "a reckless man tilling the land". "Villagers said they didn't know what was wrong with Abhisit. It was unnatural. He tilled the land like a reckless man."

Not everyone thinks negatively of Abhisit and the Democrat Party, however. Back in the Roi Et municipality area, two residents said they were happy with the man.

"The Democrat Party may be slow, but they adhere to the law. They aren't corrupt, and I have been a fan for the party for a long time. I think it's time Abhisit became prime minister," said Suraphol Klangkorn, owner of a khao thom restaurant.

Suraphol said the choice for him was any party but the Thai Rak Thai, which he viewed as essentially corrupt and whose leader he believed was guilty of selling off the country to foreigners bit by bit.

Mini-mart owner Petcharat Ratchathorn, 55, is another Abhisit fan, but the problem with the Democrat Party is not Abhisit or his television spot, she said.

"If they had good and qualified people running, I would vote for them. But they don't. When I see their candidates, I don't feel like voting for the party," she said.

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

Roi Et