in any government in which any of the ten "unusually rich were awarded cabinet posts." This further polarised the "angels" versus "devils" divide, with Chart Thai, Chart Pattana, Social Action and Muan Chon parties all having "unusually wealthy" members. Chatichai tried to distance himself from the "devil" parties, indicating that his CPP would not ally itself with Chart Thai in the formation of a coalition government. He also tried to further his international statesman image by announcing a trip to Japan just over a week before the elections, "to confer with Japanese business and industry leaders and present and former high-ranking To plan such a trip at that crucial stage must have been government officia perceived as politically advantageous. Yet his schemes came unstuck when the government refused his request for a live telecast from Japan, where he not only was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Miyazawa, but also planned to present Chart Pattana's policy platform." Whilst Chatichai in particular felt that he had to defend himself from the "unusually rich" label and counterattacked with criticism of Chaovalit in particular, other members of the four "satanic" parties wisely kept a low profile. Leaders shunned press interviews and refused to appear on television programmes designed to promote political awareness. Instead, these parties followed the tried and true formula of strengthening their political bases through their canvassers attendance at religious and social functions.