Regime plays familiar game to retain grip

The once invincible Pheu Thai Party is facing one of the toughest times in its history as the military-led government looks to use the very tactic that it deployed over the past decade to make sure that it returns to the helm after the elections.

The tactic of pulling various members from the smaller parties to help shore up support for a return to power, the plans to raise funds and all-out spending in the form of populist policies are all being played out by this government to win the hearts and minds of the people.