When Bangkok got too noisy because of all the criticism about cabinet ministers taking advantage by openly playing politics unfairly, the general prime minister escaped to the North on another scrupulously non-political trip to give away money and be photographed with every local personality and housewife within 20 kilometres.
The Wednesday trip to Lamphun was a last-minute decision by Government House. PM's Office officials had said earlier not to expect much up-country politicking in October because Gen (Ret) Prayut's official schedule was filling up, especially with foreign engagements.
Allegedly, Lamphun was to encourage yet another tourist promotion.
