Regime cultivating 'allies' in Northeast

The regime is out to court politicians in the Northeast during a two-day cabinet trip as it has made big promises to inject massive development funds into the region, political sources note.

Buri Ram, which is the stronghold of the Bhumjaithai Party, as are some provinces in the lower Northeast such as Surin, Chaiyaphum and Nakhon Ratchasima, are now being targeted after the regime struck "deals'' to bring politicians from other regions into its fold.

They include those from central provinces including Nakhon Pathom, where the Sasomsap family wields considerable political influence, and the eastern region which is the stronghold of the Phalang Chon Party, sources said.