Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his government have approved a hefty 68-billion-baht infrastructure package to rev up the Northeast's economy to a mixed response.
As the mobile cabinet meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima came to an end locals received news of the funding package coolly, suggesting the prime minister will need to do more to crack the red-shirt stronghold.
The cabinet allocated 1.7 billion baht for the construction of the Thai-Sino Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed train, 33 billion baht for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) venture for the operation and maintenance of a Bangpa-in-Nakhon Ratchasima motorway, and 2.6 billion baht to elevate the double-track railway in a downtown section of Nakhon Ratchasima.
Local residents have opposed the State Railway of Thailand's original design for the double-track railway, which will see a 7-km section of rail track cut through roads in Muang district in 15 spots.
There will be no railroad crossings as the track will be fenced off with 2-metre high walls running along it. A flyover will be constructed over the railway to allow cars to cross.
Still, some people in the province, whose residents have long supported the Shinawatra governments, expressed little enthusiasm for the prime minister's infrastructure package, saying they feel he is out of touch with their needs and demands.
"I don't feel anything. I don't want to meet him [Gen Prayut]. What I want is someone who can help me make a living," said motorcycle taxi rider Pranee Kingputsa.
"I'm just a small person here and he's up there.
"We are not associated in any way," she said, adding that the prime minister and the government operate autonomously with little regard for serving the public.
"If they think what they are doing is good then let them continue doing it. If it's not good well then stop doing it," she added.
But there were some who took a more optimistic view.
Likit Polsith, a 63-year-old driver, said he liked the prime minister and his government.
"I want him to do good for Thai people especially those at the grassroots level to help them live comfortably. And I think what he's doing contributes to that goal," he said.
Mr Likit's wife Puang took a more pragmatic view: "I don't care who the prime minister is. All I want is a good economy."
Kittisak Thongkaya, a temporary employee of a government agency, said he wanted the government to take better care of employees like him as they do not have the benefits that government officials enjoy.
Four out of five people interviewed said they were glad that the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high speed train will be available because it will enable them to travel faster and cheaply compared to travelling by air.
However, two of them said the tickets should be made affordable for the poor.
Gen Prayut yesterday told the media after the cabinet meeting he had plenty of affection for Isan (northeastern) people.
He said he gives priority to solving the problems of ordinary people and that he was aware there were many people in the Northeast who felt dissatisfied with the way his government has been running the country. He said despite calls for him to remain as prime minister "forever" it is his intention to bring the country back to democracy.
"Some people wrote letters giving me moral support and urged me to stay as prime minister forever.
"I turned this idea down because it will only bring trouble. I want to thank you and I'm glad I came. It's not my intention to make you like me.
"I'm impressed with everything that is Korat [Nakhon Ratchasima] -- the people, food, places, people's kindness. This is part of Thailand that is a place of happiness," said Gen Prayut who was born in the province.
He said he recognised many people in the province are on low incomes and vowed to address the issue.
The cabinet also resolved to provide equipment to help people exploit water and agricultural resources. Public facilities must also be improved to promote tourism, he added. Beside transport projects, the cabinet also approved water management projects in the region.
In addition, plans for infrastructure repair after recent flooding in the region is also endorsed with the budget worth 3.75 billion baht.
Gen Prayut required that the rehabilitation projects should be completed before the next rainy season. The secretary-general to the National Economic and Social Development Board, Porametee Vimolsiri, said the cabinet acknowledged the need for a comprehensive plan to develop the Northeast.