By Nirmal Ghosh, Thailand Correspondent

BANGKOK: Upcountry provinces may prove to be new flashpoints as the ruling People Power Party (PPP) begins to emulate former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's 'mobile' Cabinet meetings - beginning today with Udon Thani in the north-eastern region commonly known as Isaan.

Despite facing an imminent court judgment - expected today - which may see him being forced to resign, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday appeared confident and sanguine, even taking a microphone and breaking into traditional Thai songs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For several minutes, after delivering a lecture on Asean soon after career diplomat Saroj Chavanavirat was endorsed by the King as Thailand's third foreign minister in seven months, Mr Samak spoke to the foreign diplomats present about Thai music. And accompanied by a troupe of musicians, he sang three sections of traditional songs by way of illustration.

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