Rice farmer June Kit-Udom, 61, poses for a portrait in Khon Kaen province, northeastern Thailand March 12, 2019. Picture taken March 12, 2019. REUTERS/Patpicha Tanakasempipat 

A farmer holds rice in his hand in Khon Kaen province in northeastern Thailand March 12, 2019. Picture taken March 12, 2019. REUTERS/Patpicha Tanakasempipat 

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha performs a traditional dance with performers at Khon Kaen railway station during a visit ahead of the general election in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, March 13, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha arrives at Khon Kaen railway station during a visit ahead of the general election in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, March 13, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha 

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha arrives at Khon Kaen railway station during a visit ahead of the general election in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, March 13, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha 

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha speaks at Khon Kaen railway station during a visit ahead of the general election in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, March 13, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha 

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha performs a traditional dance with performers at Khon Kaen railway station during a visit ahead of the general election in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, March 13, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha 

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha performs a traditional dance with performers at Khon Kaen railway station during a visit ahead of the general election in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, March 13, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha 

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha performs a traditional dance with performers at Khon Kaen railway station during a visit ahead of the general election in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, March 13, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha 

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha greets his supporters at Khon Kaen railway station during a visit ahead of the general election in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, March 13, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha 

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha performs a traditional dance with performers at Khon Kaen railway station during a visit ahead of the general election in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, March 13, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha 

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha gestures as he leaves Khon Kaen railway station after a visit ahead of the general election in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, March 13, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha 

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha gestures as he leaves Khon Kaen railway station after a visit ahead of the general election in Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, March 13, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha 

A man works in a rice field in Khon Kaen, Thailand July 12, 2017. Picture taken July 12, 2017 REUTERS/Panu Wongcha-um 

A woman works in a rice field in Khon Kaen, Thailand July 13, 2017. Picture taken July 13, 2017 REUTERS/Panu Wongcha-um 

A member of Khon Kaen Slum Network community group attends a rally outside the United Nations building in Bangkok, Thailand, October 3, 2016. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

Members of Khon Kaen Slum Network community group hold a banner during a rally outside the United Nations building in Bangkok, Thailand, October 3, 2016. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

Thai electoral workers start counting ballots at a polling station during a constitutional referendum vote in the northern province Khon Kaen, Thailand August 7, 2016. REUTERS/Pairat Temphairojana

Achana Chiutasaen, 51, a farmer and red shirt supporter, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Khon Kaen May 5, 2016. REUTERS/Amy Lefevre 

Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, a law student and member of Dao Din, an anti-coup group, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Khon Kaen May 5, 2016. REUTERS/Amy Lefevre 

A woman with a boy rides a motorcycle in a village near Khon Kaen, Thailand, September 14, 2015. The rural heartland of Thailand's deposed leader Yingluck Shinawatra and her exiled billionaire brother Thaksin is hurting as a result of the military government's economic policies, stirring discontent and the threat of protests. The removal of generous agricultural subsidies has left rice farmers in northeast Thailand struggling with mounting debts, and they will get little relief when they sell their crop in coming months with rice prices near an 8-year low. Picture taken September 14, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva 

Rice mill workers check and classify rice quality in a rice mill in Khon Kaen, Thailand, September 14, 2015. The rural heartland of Thailand's deposed leader Yingluck Shinawatra and her exiled billionaire brother Thaksin is hurting as a result of the military government's economic policies, stirring discontent and the threat of protests. The removal of generous agricultural subsidies has left rice farmers in northeast Thailand struggling with mounting debts, and they will get little relief when they sell their crop in coming months with rice prices near an 8-year low. Picture taken September 14, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva 

Rice mill workers check and classify rice quality in a rice mill in Khon Kaen, Thailand, September 14, 2015. The rural heartland of Thailand's deposed leader Yingluck Shinawatra and her exiled billionaire brother Thaksin is hurting as a result of the military government's economic policies, stirring discontent and the threat of protests. The removal of generous agricultural subsidies has left rice farmers in northeast Thailand struggling with mounting debts, and they will get little relief when they sell their crop in coming months with rice prices near an 8-year low. Picture taken September 14, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva 

Rice mill workers pose for a picture in Khon Kaen, Thailand, September 14, 2015. The rural heartland of Thailand's deposed leader Yingluck Shinawatra and her exiled billionaire brother Thaksin is hurting as a result of the military government's economic policies, stirring discontent and the threat of protests. The removal of generous agricultural subsidies has left rice farmers in northeast Thailand struggling with mounting debts, and they will get little relief when they sell their crop in coming months with rice prices near an 8-year low. Picture taken September 14, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva 

Rice farmer Boonhome Suaydee, 57, works in a rice field in Khon Kaen, Thailand, September 14, 2015. The rural heartland of Thailand's deposed leader Yingluck Shinawatra and her exiled billionaire brother Thaksin is hurting as a result of the military government's economic policies, stirring discontent and the threat of protests. The removal of generous agricultural subsidies has left rice farmers in northeast Thailand struggling with mounting debts, and they will get little relief when they sell their crop in coming months with rice prices near an 8-year low. Picture taken September 14, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva 

A rice farmer waits to be paid for his harvest at a rice mill in Khon Kaen, Thailand, September 14, 2015. The rural heartland of Thailand's deposed leader Yingluck Shinawatra and her exiled billionaire brother Thaksin is hurting as a result of the military government's economic policies, stirring discontent and the threat of protests. The removal of generous agricultural subsidies has left rice farmers in northeast Thailand struggling with mounting debts, and they will get little relief when they sell their crop in coming months with rice prices near an 8-year low. Picture taken September 14, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva 

Rice farmer Boonhome Suaydee, 57, gestures in Khon Kaen, Thailand, September 14, 2015. From self-imposed exile, the influential leader of Thailand's rural "red shirt" opposition movement, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has delivered a simple message to followers chafing at the military junta's iron rule: lay low for now, don't panic, "play dead." While the military remains firmly in control since it felled the remnants of the government of Thaksin's sister Yingluck in another coup last year, he and his allies have won every election since 2001 and anger is mounting among farmers and political opponents. The military government has slashed rural subsidies and coup leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said this month the next election would not be held until "around" July 2017, the latest delay to Thailand's return to democracy. Picture taken September 14, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva 

A rice farmer waits to be paid for his harvest at a rice miller in Khon Kaen, Thailand, September 14, 2015. From self-imposed exile, the influential leader of Thailand's rural "red shirt" opposition movement, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has delivered a simple message to followers chafing at the military junta's iron rule: lay low for now, don't panic, "play dead." While the military remains firmly in control since it felled the remnants of the government of Thaksin's sister Yingluck in another coup last year, he and his allies have won every election since 2001 and anger is mounting among farmers and political opponents. The military government has slashed rural subsidies and coup leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said this month the next election would not be held until "around" July 2017, the latest delay to Thailand's return to democracy. Picture taken September 14, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva 

A rice farmer waits to be paid for his harvest at a rice miller in Khon Kaen, Thailand, September 14, 2015. From self-imposed exile, the influential leader of Thailand's rural "red shirt" opposition movement, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has delivered a simple message to followers chafing at the military junta's iron rule: lay low for now, don't panic, "play dead." While the military remains firmly in control since it felled the remnants of the government of Thaksin's sister Yingluck in another coup last year, he and his allies have won every election since 2001 and anger is mounting among farmers and political opponents. The military government has slashed rural subsidies and coup leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said this month the next election would not be held until "around" July 2017, the latest delay to Thailand's return to democracy. Picture taken September 14, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva 

A cassava farmer reacts in a field near Khon Kaen, Thailand, September 14, 2015. From self-imposed exile, the influential leader of Thailand's rural "red shirt" opposition movement, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has delivered a simple message to followers chafing at the military junta's iron rule: lay low for now, don't panic, "play dead." While the military remains firmly in control since it felled the remnants of the government of Thaksin's sister Yingluck in another coup last year, he and his allies have won every election since 2001 and anger is mounting among farmers and political opponents. The military government has slashed rural subsidies and coup leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said this month the next election would not be held until "around" July 2017, the latest delay to Thailand's return to democracy. Picture taken September 14, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva 

Red shirt movement leader Sabina Shah speaks during an interview with Reuters in Khon Kaen, Thailand, September 14, 2015. From self-imposed exile, the influential leader of Thailand's rural "red shirt" opposition movement, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has delivered a simple message to followers chafing at the military junta's iron rule: lay low for now, don't panic, "play dead." While the military remains firmly in control since it felled the remnants of the government of Thaksin's sister Yingluck in another coup last year, he and his allies have won every election since 2001 and anger is mounting among farmers and political opponents. The military government has slashed rural subsidies and coup leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said this month the next election would not be held until "around" July 2017, the latest delay to Thailand's return to democracy. Picture taken September 14, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva 

Khon Kaen mayor Teerasak Teecayuphan speaks during an interview with Reuters in Khon Kaen, Thailand, September 14, 2015. From self-imposed exile, the influential leader of Thailand's rural "red shirt" opposition movement, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has delivered a simple message to followers chafing at the military junta's iron rule: lay low for now, don't panic, "play dead." While the military remains firmly in control since it felled the remnants of the government of Thaksin's sister Yingluck in another coup last year, he and his allies have won every election since 2001 and anger is mounting among farmers and political opponents. The military government has slashed rural subsidies and coup leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said this month the next election would not be held until "around" July 2017, the latest delay to Thailand's return to democracy. Picture taken September 14, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva 

A supporter of Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of toppled premier Thaksin Shinawatra and the prime ministerial candidate for the country's biggest opposition Puea Thai Party, gestures during her address in Udon Thani province, east of Bangkok, May 25, 2011. Ahead of a July 3 national election, dozens of rural communities are branding themselves "Red Shirt Villages" in Thailand's poor northeast plateau, a traditional red-shirt bastion and home to a third of Thailand's population, giving the movement grass-roots muscle to mobilise behind its parliamentary allies, the opposition Puea Thai Party. At least 320 villages in the northeast provinces of Udon Thani and Khon Kaen have designated themselves "Red Shirt Villages" through regional offices of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), as the movement is formally known. Picture taken May 25, 2011. To match Special Report THAILAND/ELECTION REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang/Files (THAILAND - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) 

Students hold their textbooks and stationeries during recess in a primary school in northeastern Khon Kaen province May 24, 2011. Overcrowding in classrooms is just one of the problems dogging Thailand's education system, where an inward-looking curriculum emphasises rote-learning and basic literacy. Critics say that without an overhaul to bring the system into the 21st century, Thailand will lose out in the race with Asian rivals for foreign investment. Picture taken May 24, 2011. To match Analysis THAILAND-EDUCATION REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND - Tags: EDUCATION) 

Political party workers frame election campaign billboards for opposition Puea Thai Party in Khon Kaen Province, east of Bangkok May 24, 2011, a few hours after candidates registered for general parliamentary elections scheduled for July 3. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) 

A political party worker frames an election campaign billboard for opposition Puea Thai Party in Khon Kaen Province, east of Bangkok May 24, 2011, a few hours after candidates registered for general parliamentary elections scheduled for July 3. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) 

A political party worker frames an election campaign billboard for opposition Puea Thai Party in Khon Kaen Province, east of Bangkok May 24, 2011, a few hours after candidates registered for general parliamentary elections scheduled for July 3. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang (THAILAND - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) 

A train, carrying military vehicles and supplies, is seen at the railway station in Khon Kaen province, located in the north east of Thailand April 22, 2010. A freight train carrying military vehicles and equipment has been held up by the red shirts in Khon Kaen province, the Bangkok Post reported police saying. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

A soldier uses his mobile phone aboard a train carrying military vehicles and supplies in Khon Kaen province, located in the north east of Thailand on April 22, 2010. A freight train carrying military vehicles and equipment has been held up by the red shirts in Khon Kaen province, the Bangkok Post reported police saying. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

Soldiers guard a train carrying military supplies in Khon Kaen province, located in the north east of Thailand on April 22, 2010. A freight train carrying military vehicles and equipment has been held up by the red shirts in Khon Kaen province, the Bangkok Post reported police saying. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

Soldiers sleep in hammocks near a train carrying military supplies in Khon Kaen province, located in the north east of Thailand on April 22, 2010. A freight train carrying military vehicles and equipment has been held up by the red shirts in Khon Kaen province, the Bangkok Post reported police saying. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

Anti-government 'red shirt' supporters block a train carrying military supplies in Khon Kaen province, located in the north east of Thailand on April 22, 2010. A freight train carrying military vehicles and equipment has been held up by the red shirts in Khon Kaen province, the Bangkok Post reported police saying. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Anti-government 'red shirt' supporters sit in front of a train carrying military supplies in Khon Kaen province, located in the north east of Thailand on April 22, 2010. A freight train carrying military vehicles and equipment has been held up by the red shirts in Khon Kaen province, the Bangkok Post reported police saying. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Anti-government 'red shirt' supporters sit in front of a train carrying military supplies in Khon Kaen province, located in the north east of Thailand on April 22, 2010. A freight train carrying military vehicles and equipment has been held up by the red shirts in Khon Kaen province, the Bangkok Post reported police saying. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom (THAILAND - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST) 

Thai prisoners attend kick boxing training under the watchful eyes of warden Somkid Benglon (C, back) at a prison in Khon Kaen province, 450 km (280 miles) northeast of Bangkok, July 5, 2003. The training, run by prison wardens, is part of a rehabilitation programme to decrease aggression among the prisoners. 

Thai prisoners attend kick boxing training at a prison in Khon Kaen province, 450 km (280 miles) northeast of Bangkok, July 5, 2003. The training, run by prison wardens, is part of a rehabilitation programme to decrease aggression among the prisoners. 

Thai prisoners attend kick boxing training at a prison in Khon Kaen province, 450 km (280 miles) northeast of Bangkok, July 5, 2003. The training, run by prison wardens, is part of a rehabilitation programme to decrease aggression among the prisoners. 

Thai prisoners attend kick boxing training behind barbed wire fences of a prison in Khon Kaen province, 450 km (280 miles) northeast of Bangkok, July 5, 2003. The training, run by prison wardens, is part of a rehabilitation programme to decrease aggression among the prisoners. 

Thai prisoners attend kick boxing training behind barbed wire fences of
a prison in Khon Kaen province, 450 km (280 miles) northeast of
Bangkok, July 5, 2003. The training, run by prison wardens, is part of
a rehabilitation programme to decrease aggression among the prisoners.
REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang

SS/DL 

Thai prisoners attend kick boxing training at a prison in Khon Kaen
province, 450 km (280 miles) northeast of Bangkok, July 5, 2003. The
training, run by prison wardens, is part of a rehabilitation programme
to decrease aggression among the prisoners. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang

SS/DL 

Thai prisoners attend kick boxing training under the watchful eyes of
the wardens at a prison in Khon Kaen province, 450 km (280 miles)
northeast of Bangkok, July 5, 2003. The training, run by prison
wardens, is part of a rehabilitation programme to decrease aggression
among the prisoners. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang

SS/DL 

Thai prisoners attend kick boxing training under the watchful eyes of
warden Somkid Benglon (C, back) at a prison in Khon Kaen province, 450
km (280 miles) northeast of Bangkok, July 5, 2003. The training, run by
prison wardens, is part of a rehabilitation programme to decrease
aggression among the prisoners. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang

SS/DL 

A king cobra eats a smaller snake in Ban Kok Sanga village, about 500 km (312 miles) from Bangkok on June 5, 2003. Many rice farmers in the village supplement their income by showing off their cobras for tourists. 

Thai Chalong Dutra, 30, swallows a king cobra during a show designed as a tourist attraction in Ban Kok Sanga village, about 500 km (312 miles) from Bangkok on June 5, 2003. Many rice farmers in the village supplement their income by showing off their cobras for tourists. 

Thai Chalong Dutra, 30, swallows a king cobra during a show designed as a tourist attraction in Ban Kok Sanga village, about 500 km (312 miles) from Bangkok on June 5, 2003. Many rice farmers in the village supplement their income by showing off their cobras for tourists. 

Thai Chalong Dutra, 30, swallows a king cobra during a show designed as
a tourist attraction in Ban Kok Sanga village, about 500 km (312 miles)
from Bangkok on June 5, 2003. Many rice farmers in the village
supplement their income by showing off their cobras for tourists.
REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang

SS/CP 

Thai Chalong Dutra, 30, swallows a king cobra during a show designed as
a tourist attraction in Ban Kok Sanga village, about 500 km (312 miles)
from Bangkok on June 5, 2003. Many rice farmers in the village
supplement their income by showing off their cobras for tourists.
REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang

SS/CP 

Mongkol Hongpanya, 11, practices his skills in order to show off a 1.5
metre long king cobra in Ban Kok Sanga village, about 500 km (312
miles) from Bangkok on June 5, 2003. Many rice farmers in the village
supplement their income by showing off their cobras for tourists.
REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang

SS/CP 

Boontham Anusuriya, 60, displays his king cobra during a show designed
as a tourist attraction in Ban Kok Sanga village, about 500 km (312
miles) from Bangkok on June 5, 2003. Many rice farmers in the village
supplement their income by showing off their cobras for tourists.
REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang

SS/CP 

A king cobra eats a smaller snake in Ban Kok Sanga village, about 500
km (312 miles) from Bangkok on June 5, 2003. Many rice farmers in the
village supplement their income by showing off their cobras for
tourists. REUTERS/Sukree Sukplang

SS/CP