There may be smiles and victory signs atop the tanks in Bangkok, but in Thailand's Issan Province there is sadness at the ouster of the first leader to give voice to this underdeveloped region.
Prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was overthrown in a bloodless coup last Tuesday, was accused by his critics of shamelessly touting populist policies in northeastern Thailand, the poorest region in the country.
Some even called his actions vote-buying, but people on the receiving end of policies -- including cheap medical care and a one million baht (US$2,700) rural loan scheme -- saw it as a chance to lift themselves out of poverty.
"Never before have people in the rural areas received services from the state," a professor at Khon Kaen University said, asking not to be named because of the military's current ban on political activity.
"Thaksin made them realize what they can get as citizens of this country, what they can demand," he said.
Thaksin lavished money and infrastructure projects on the countryside, which provided the bedrock of his support in the elections.
He was a regular fixture at countryside rallies, enjoying the cheers and praise that often eluded him in Bangkok, where he was dogged by accusations of corruption and nepotism.
As well as welcoming the financial support, the deeply traditional northeasterners also backed his moral crusades, including his controversial war on drugs in 2003.
Right groups say that the drug war cost the lives of some 2,500 people in extra-judicial killings by security forces, but the campaign did stem the flow of narcotics.
"He got rid of the drugs and he helped poor people with the `30 baht scheme,'" said Noi, a 40-year-old farmer, referring to Thaksin's health care system allowing Thais to get medical treatment for around US$0.90.
Most Issan villagers spoke fondly of Thaksin, who they referred to as a "good person."
But some expressed a creeping doubt about his character.
"I heard the rumors that he was corrupt, but I wasn't sure if that was true or not," said In Kaewthip, a 76-year-old weaver.
But any hope Thaksin and his allies may have of this countryside support transforming into real protests are unfounded, activists and analysts said.
"They miss or they cry for Thaksin but they don't know what to do," said Bamrung Kayotha, a consultant for the grassroots activist group Assembly for the Poor.
"They are afraid because they need more loans from Thaksin and the military will stop giving loans ... they are afraid if they speak about him they will be arrested by the military," he added.
There is certainly a reluctance among activists to voice opinions against the coup. One grassroots activist wouldn't speak to reporters because of "safety reasons."
But others say that the people of Issan are not organized and are just happy to accept the new government and get on with their lives.
"There is very little chance that there will be a movement initiated from the rural areas," the university professor said.
The military junta is also trying to stop dissent by banning all political activity at the village, district and provincial levels and placing soldiers on transportation links from the northeast into Bangkok.
At one rural military checkpoint, 15 soldiers and police had little to do other than watch cars and trucks pass by.
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