For the past two decades, Thailand’s north-east rural heartland has been an electoral stronghold for Thaksin Shinawatra, delivering staunch support for the billionaire businessman’s brand of populist politics – even in his absence.

Caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha should remain in Thai politics to prevent the country from falling into chaos, a video clip posted on Wednesday to the premier’s Facebook fan page “Lung Too Toon” claimed.