By elections: No need for Banjong to resign

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home...-30142872.html


Pongpisut gets No 1, Apirak No 2

Pongpisut Jitsophon, the Pheu Thai Party candidate for Bangkok’s by-election, got candidacy number 1 while his arch-contestant, Democrat Party candidate Apirak Kosayothin got No 2.

Apirak and Pongpisut registered their candidacy for the Bangkok by-election at the Yannawa district office Monday morning.

The candidacy numbers were given by lot drawing.

Thai Phor Piang Party candidate Jamras Inthumorn got the candidacy No 3.

Another candidate, Thammathipat Party’s Thanwa Krairirk applied at 8:45 am and given number 4.

The Nation

Quote:

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Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Mr Boonjong and five other MPs have lost their House seats after the Constitution Court on Wednesday ruled that their shareholdings in private companies were unconstitutional.

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Be easier just to scrap the Constitution Court.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

However, all of them, except one who was elected in the party-list system, can still run in a by-election to be called to fill the vacant House seats.

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Forced to resign their seats for breaking the rules, never mind just stand again and have another go....the "democratic party" at it's best! don't you just love it?

By-election candidacy registration begins in five provinces

By-election candidacy registration begins in five provinces

วันจันทร์ ที่ 22 พ.ย. 2553

• • https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif

BANGKOK, Nov 22 - By-election candidacy registration began on Monday in five constituencies to fill vacant seats after the Constitution Court earlier ruled to disqualify six members of parliament for breaching shareholding rules by holding shares in media companies or in firms linked to state concessions.

The Election Commission (EC) has set Dec 12 as the by-election date. As one of the six disqualified MPs is a party-list MP, the by-elections will take place in five constituencies of Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Khon Kaen, Surin and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces. The application date for candidates is scheduled for Nov 22-26 and advance balloting will be held Dec 4-5.

Democrat Party candidate Apirak Kosayodhin, advisor to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and former governor of Bangkok, registered his candidacy in the Bangkok Constituency 2 by-election Monday morning at the same time as Opposition Puea Thai Party candidate Pongpisut Jintasophon and candidates from other parties.

Mr Apirak was accompanied by Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij who is also an MP for Bangkok Constituency 2 and Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office Ongart Klampaiboon.

The former Bangkok governor drew number two as his candidacy number, while his Puea Thai rival received number one.

Former Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaiwijit registered in the Ayutthaya Constituency 1 by-election under the Chart Thai Pattana Party and got number three in candidacy registration.

Puea Thai Party's candidate Ongart Wachirapong, accompanied by deputy House Speaker and Puea Thai MP Col Apiwan Wiriyachai, drew number one for the Ayutthaya by-election.

Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Vongtrairat, former Nakhon Ratchasima MP of the Bhumjaithai Party, and Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul, a former MP for Ayutthaya from the Chart
Thai Pattana Party, were among the six MPs disqualified by the Constitution Court. They also announced their resignations from their ministerial posts last week to contest the by-elections.

The others who were disqualified were Democrat Bangkok Constituency 2 member of parliament Somkiat Chantavanich; Puea Pandin MP for Surin Maliwan Thanyasakulkij; party list MP of the Puea Pandin Party Kittiwattana Pokmontri and Opposition Puea Thai MP for Khon Kaen Preechapol Pongpanich.

Former Deputy Minister of Interior Boonjong expects to register on Tuesday. (MCOT online news)

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...ister-in-surin

PT, BJT candidates register in Surin

• Published: 22/11/2010 at 12:00 PM
• Online news:

Two candidates, one Puea Thai and the other Bhumjaithai, registered to contest the Dec 12 by-election in Surin province's Constituency 3 on Monday.

Representing the Puea Thai Party is Pathida Tantirattananond, former member of the Provincial Administration Organisation from Kap Choeng district.

The Bhumjaithai candidate is Suparak Khuanha, secretary to Transport Minister Sohpon Zarun and a former MP for the constituency.

Puea Thai secretary-general Supol Fong-ngam, about 20 party MPs, and 500 red-shirts showed up with banners to show support for Mrs Pathida.

On hand to give Mr Suparak moral support were Mr Sohpon and about 30 party members.

The by-election in Surin's Constituency 3 was required after Maliwan Thanyasakulkij of the Puea Pandin party was disqualified for unconstitutional shareholdings.

Mrs Maliwan had not shown up to register for by-election.

Mrs Pathida drew No 1 on the ballot paper and Mr Suparak No 2.

Constituency 3 encompasses Prasat, Sangkha, Kap Choeng, Bua Chet, Si Narong and Phanom Dong Rak district with 324,203 eligible voters.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...ya-by-election

Three apply for Ayutthaya by-election

• Published: 22/11/2010 at 12:15 PM
• Online news:

Three candidates registered to contest the Dec 12 by-election in Ayutthaya's Constituency 1 on Monday morning, representing the Puea Thai, Chart Thai Pattana and Farmers Network of Thailand parties.

The by-election in this constituency was called after former deputy transport minister Kuerkul Danchaivichit of the Chart Thai Pattana Party was disqualified as an MP for unconstitutional shareholdings.

Ong-art Wachirapong of the Puea Thai Party was first to show up for registration, followed by Mr Kuerkul of Chart Thai Pattana, and Kanmanee Sapphan of the Farmers Network of Thailand.

They were given No 1, No 2 and No 3, respectively, on the ballot paper.

Ayutthaya's Constituency 1 comprises 10 districts - Muang Ayutthaya, Sena, Bang Ban, Bang Sai, Phak Hai, Bang Pahan, Maharat, Pak Phraek, Nakhon Luang and Tha Rua.

Candidate registration for all five Dec 12 by-elections closes on Friday.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...ma-by-election

Two register for Korat by-election

• Published: 22/11/2010 at 12:40 PM
• Online news: Politics

Two parties registered their candidants for the Dec 12 by-election in Nakhon Ratchasima's Constituency 3 on Monday morning.

They are Nitisak Wansopha of the Better Life Party (Cheewit Dee Kwa) and Apicha Lertpacharamongkol of the Puea Thai Party.

Mr Nitisak is candidate No 1 on the ballot and Mr Apicha No 2.

Mr Nitisak was accompanied by party leader Poonthawil Panprasert. He said he wanted to offer voters a choice.

Mr Apicha was accompanied by Puea Thai chairman Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, spokesman Prompong Nopparit, and Nakhon Ratchasima MP Pol Lt-Col Somchai Phetprasert and more than 100 party members in the province.

The House seat in the constituency bevame vacant when former deputy interior minister Boonjong Wongtrairat of the Bhumjaithai Party was disqualified for shareholdings in violation of the constitution.

Mr Boonjong did not register his candidacy on Monday morning.

Registration closes on Friday.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...khon-kaen-poll

PT vs Dem in Khon Kaen poll

• Published: 22/11/2010 at 02:19 PM
• Online news:

Candidates of the Puea Thai and Democrat parties on Monday morning registered to run in the Dec 12 by-election in Khon Kaen's Constituency 2.

The by-election is required after Preechapol Pongpanich of Puea Thai was disqualified by the Constitution Court for unconstitutional shareholdings.

Mr Preechapol was accompanied by his father and former deputy interior minister Sermsak Pongpanich and mother Rabiabrat to register his candidacy for by-election at the Ban Phai district hall.

Puea Thai MPs for Khon Kaen and about 200 red-shirts also turned up to support him.

Representing the Democrat Party in this constituency is Athipprat Thatpichayangkura, former director of Zone 5 Education Office.

He was accompanied by a number of party executives including Suthas Ngernmuen and Vithoon Nambutr, with about 200 cheering supporters.

Mr Atthipprat drew No 1 and Mr Preechapol No 2.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bettyboo

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Thaihome

^^And I bet in both cases their constituents will re-elect them easily which means their constituents are satisfied with their performance, correct?
TH

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You never used these arguments when MrT was involved...

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Yes I have, many times. The local MP's are elected based on how well they can say they got government money into the district. In the past, the voters have cared little what national party the candidate happen to be aligned with for that election or if they change that alignment during the term. This by-election will be a good chance to see if that is indeed still true, as a couple of the MP's were ones that were PPP members that went with the BJT or Chart Thai rather then the PTP when the PPP was disolved.

Mid was making a statement on the Thai politicians [lack] respect for their constituents because they did not want to resign their cabinet posts before the by-elections. My point was that may be Mid’s perspective, but for the voters it makes no difference, they judge the performance of their MP’s on a completely different criteria then Mid does.
TH

http://www.tannetwork.tv/tan/ViewData.aspx?DataID=1037828

Military Ordered to Dissociate from Poll Candidates

UPDATE : 25 November 2010

The defense minister has issued an order for all military personnel not to associate with by election candidates.

If any soldiers are found to have violated the order, disciplinary action will be taken.

Defense Ministry spokesperson Colonel Thanathip Sawangsang stated in a press conference after the Defense Council meeting that Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan has ordered all military personnel not to associate with by election candidates in five provinces, namely Ayutthaya, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Surin and Bangkok.

Commanders of various military units have been notified not to let their personnel interact with candidates in any form and if anyone violates the order, that person will face strict disciplinary punishment.


This is to make sure the military is not subject to criticism of interfering with politics.

The defense minister also urged the families of soldiers to exercise their voting rights and become model citizens.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home...-30143650.html

Verbal salvo on by-election mudslinging

The Bhum Jai Thai Party on Thursday alleged the rival Pheu Thai Party of slinging mud at it before voicing suspicion that its rival's attack was a diversion for its buying of votes in Nakhon Ratchasima by-election.

Bhum Jai Thai MP Prajak Kaewklaharn said his party had no involvement in vote buying as claimed by Pheu Thai MP Chalerm Yoobamrung on Wednesday.

In his remarks, Chalerm cited a video clip uploaded in Youtube as reason to suspect foul play involving Bhum Jai Thai. The clip depicted a large gathering of Nakhon Ratchasima vote canvassers at a seaside resort in Rayong.

The Nation

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...rn-on-boonjong

Govt MPs turn on Boonjong

Divided loyalties blight next week's by-election

• Published: 3/12/2010 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Discontented coalition MPs have joined the opposition Puea Thai Party's candidate to "knock out" former deputy interior minister Boonjong Wongtrairat in the Dec 12 by-election in Nakhon Ratchasima.

https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif
Puea Thai Party candidate Apicha Lertpatcharakamol greets vendors as he campaigns for votes in downtown Chok Chai district, Nakhon Ratchasima, yesterday.Heis competing against former interior minister Boonjong Wongtrairat from the coalition Bhumjaithai Party in Constituency 6 in the Dec 12 byelection.

Puea Thai candidate Apicha Lertpatcharakamol has received backing from Pairote Suwanchawee, defacto leader of the Puea Pandin Party and Suwat Liptapanlop, main backer of the Ruam Chart Pattana Party.

The two government coalition parties have decided against fielding candidates in the by-election in the province's Constituency 6.

Puea Pandin is split with one side supporting the government and the other with the opposition. The Pairote faction is seen as adopting the middle ground: neither supporting the government, nor the opposition.
Ruam Chart Pattana is still part of the government.

Mr Apicha is vying with Mr Boonjong, who resigned as deputy interior minister to run in the race after he was disqualified by the Constitution Court for unconstitutional shareholding.

Mr Boonjong, a right-hand man of Newin Chidchob, the de facto leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, is expected to face a tough battle to retain the seat.

A source at Puea Thai said former transport minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisarn travelled to Montenegro last month to meet ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to discuss campaign strategies for the by-election. Mr Pongsak, a close aide of Thaksin, also met Mr Suwat and Mr Pairote to seek their support for the Puea Thai candidate in Nakhon Ratchasima.

The two men promised to give their backing to Mr Apicha, the source said.

Surawit Khonsomboon, a Puea Thai MP for Chaiyaphum and secretary to the party's campaign team in the Northeast, yesterday said two Ruam Chart Pattana MPs for Nakhon Ratchasima, Virat Rattanaset and his wife Thatsaneeya, have helped Puea Thai campaign for its candidate.

The two government MPs have taken the stage in the northeastern province to urge local constituents to vote for Mr Apicha.

Mr Surawit claimed Mr Pairoj had also sent his men to help campaign for the Puea Thai candidate.

Mr Virat yesterday said he helped Puea Thai because he personally knew its candidate. He admitted he did not like Mr Boonjong.

He was confident the Puea Thai candidate would win the race as two districts in Constituency 6 were his support bases.

In Ayutthaya, candidates from Puea Thai, Chart Thai Pattana and the Farmer Network of Thailand yesterday took part in an oath of fair play.

Puea Thai's Ong-art Wachirapong, Chart Thai Pattana's Kuerkul Danchaivichit and Kanjamanee Sapphan of the Farmer Network of Thailand swore that they would not violate the election law while campaigning in the province's Constitution 1. The oath-taking ceremony was organised by the provincial election panel.

Mr Kuerkul was disqualified from his house seat over shareholding violations. He stepped down as deputy transport minister last week to run in the by-election.

Mr Kuerkul is confident he will be re-elected, while his rival candidate Mr Ong-art said his campaign policy to fight for farmers would help him win the hearts of voters.

If elected, he would not let Ayutthaya be a flood retention area for other provinces, he said.

Advance By-Elections Begin In Thailand's Five Provinces
December 04, 2010

BANGKOK, Dec 4 (Bernama) -- The eligible voters went to polling booths to participate in a two-day advance by-election in five provinces of Thailand on Saturday, according to China's Xinhua news agency.

Advance voting in the five provinces -- including the capital of Bangkok, three northeastern provinces of Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima and Surin, and the central province of Ayutthaya -- are held on Saturday and Sunday.

The Election Commission (EC) officials expressed concern over poor turnout which is projected at two percent of overall eligible voters at most.

The actual by-elections were set by the EC on Nov 4 to replace member of parliaments (MPs) disqualified by the Constitution Court for unlawfully holding shares in private companies.

In responding to the opposition Puea Thai Party's question on transparency of the by-elections, EC secretary-general Suthipol Thaweechaikarn said closed-circuit televisions have been installed at the polling place and officials manning round-the-clock.

bernama.com

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Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

This is to make sure the military is not subject to criticism of interfering with politics.

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:smileylaughing:

and they believe this :mid:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...aw-big-turnout

Early voting fails to draw big turnout

• Published: 6/12/2010 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Surin and Nakhon Ratchasima have led other provinces in voter turnout during advance voting for the Dec 12 by-elections.

Many city residents returned home over the long weekend to cast their ballot.

However, the three-day holiday to mark His Majesty the King's birthday and Father's Day yesterday was cited for the low turnout in Bangkok and Ayutthaya, election officials said.

A poor showing was also reported in Khon Kaen, despite campaigns to promote the by-election.

The five provinces held advance voting for this coming weekend's by-elections to fill seats made vacant in the lower house after five MPs were stripped of their seats for holding shares in private firms doing businesses with the state.

In Surin's Constituency 3, where Puea Pandin Party MP Maliwan Thanyasakulkit was disqualified, 17,830 people flocked to ballot booths at the weekend, said by-election director Songsak Janrooka. It was the highest turnout of the five provinces.

The atmosphere in Nakhon Ratchasima's Constituency 6 was also bustling. Officials at some ballot stations had to hand out queue cards to voters so there were orderly lines to vote, by-election director Santirat Mahatthanachart said.

The by-election seeks to fill the seat left vacant by Boonjong Wongtrairat of the Bhumjaithai Party. Mr Boonjong resigned as deputy interior minister to contest the lower house seat.

Advance voting in Khon Kaen's Constituency 2, where Puea Thai Party MP Preechapol Pongpanit was disqualified, was quiet. Officials said only 1.5% of 330,783 eligible voters turned out.

In Bangkok's Constituency 2, only 1.25% of 330,000 eligible voters cast ballots, city clerk Charoenrat Chutikarn said. The seat was left vacant after Democrat MP Somkiat Chanthawanich was disqualified.

In Ayutthaya's Constituency 1, where Chart Thai Pattana's Kuerkul Danchaivichit lost his seat, turnout yesterday was lower than Saturday. Local officials said many eligible voters travelled to other provinces to celebrate Father's Day.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...st-of-strength

By-elections pose a test of strength

ANALYSIS: Apart from gauging popularity of the parties, little else will arise from Sunday's mini-polls

• Published: 7/12/2010 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

The by-elections in five provinces on Sunday will give a strong indication of the popularity of the coalition government and the key opposition Puea Thai Party.

Puea Thai appears likely to win most of the seats but this is unlikely to lead to a dissolution of the House.

House seats in Constituency 2 of Bangkok, Constituency 1 of Ayutthaya, Constituency 2 of Khon Kaen, Constituency6 of Nakhon Ratchasima and Constituency3 of Surin were vacated when the previous holders were disqualified for unconstitutional shareholdings in companies with state concessions.

Advance voting took place at the weekend and voter turnout was small.

Coalition parties had controlled the seats in Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Ratchasima and Surin. They will be competing in the by-elections in all five constituencies with Puea Thai candidates who are hopeful of success in all of them except the one in Bangkok.

Apirak Kosayodhin, the candidate from the ruling Democrat Party in Bangkok's Constituency 2, appears to be the voters' favourite. He twice stood for Bangkok governor and won.

His party took all seats in district councils and the Bangkok council representing the constituency in local council polling in the middle of this year. It also held Constituency 2 in the last election.

The former Bangkok governor is competing against Puea Thai candidate Pongpisuth Jintasophon.

Mr Pongpisuth said he was the underdog because his competitor was Mr Apirak and the voting base of his Puea Thai Party in the constituency was inferior to the Democrats'. Yet he retains a degree of hope.

He was a three-time Bangkok councillor representing the constituency and beat Democrat Somkiat Chanthawanich, the previous holder of the seat, in the constituency in the 2005 election. The Democrats had a clean sweep there in the 2007 election.

Mr Pongpisuth attacked Mr Apirak's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system installed when he was governor. He said it had caused traffic problems in the Yannawa district as local roads had lost one lane in each direction to the buses.

The Puea Thai Party was also playing up Mr Apirak's connection to the controversial fire truck procurement and allegedly irregularities in overpass and underpass projects by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and doubts whether he can hold on to his seat in the House if he faces prosecution.

Mr Apirak has hit back by saying the fire truck procurement project had been initiated long before he became Bangkok governor and the issue was only being raised again for political reasons.

He said the BRT project had benefited people who did not drive and the system would not be causing any traffic problems if parking bans were strictly enforced on local roads.

Mr Apirak said the BRT system would be adjusted next month to improve its service.

Puea Thai can expect a comfortable victory in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen where its candidate, Preechapol Pongpanich, will defend his seat. The Democrat Party is fielding Athiprat Tadpichayangkun only to meet its leader and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's intention to test if a peaceful vote campaign by the political opponents is possible.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, former deputy interior minister Boonjong Wongtrairat of the coalition Bhumjaithai Party is struggling to defend his seat against Puea Thai's Apicha Lertpacharakamol.

Although Mr Boonjong won the seat in the last election, in the coming by-election he is fighting against not only Mr Apicha, whose party has strong voter support in the Northeast, but also the Ruamchart Pattana Party, which is supporting the Puea Thai candidate.

Bhumjaithai and Puea Thai are also competing against each other in Surin, another northeastern province. Puea Thai's Pathida Tantiratananont has an edge over Bhumjaithai's Suparak Khuanha as previous representative, Maliwan Tanyasakulkit of the Puea Pandin Party, is not standing.

Puea Thai is also upbeat over the chances of its candidate, Ong-art Vajirapong, in Ayutthaya as the anti-government red shirt movement is strong in the Central Plains province. Former deputy transport minister Kuerkul Danchaivichit and his coalition Chart Thai Pattana Party must try hard to reclaim his seat.

Prajak Klaewklahan, chief of Bhumjaithai MPs, commented that if Puea Thai won most of the by-elections, it would prove that people in the Northeast continued to support former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

He said Prime Minister Abhisit was working well and a dissolution of the House was unlikely as a result of the by-elections.

Puea Thai MP for Ayutthaya and opposition chief whip Withaya Buranasiri said Mr Abhisit should dissolve the House if Puea Thai won most of the seats.But it appeared the prime minister would try to delay a dissolution for as long as possible.

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Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Mr Pongpisuth attacked Mr Apirak's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system installed when he was governor. He said it had caused traffic problems in the Yannawa district as local roads had lost one lane in each direction to the buses.

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It's good to see politicians who are concentrating on Thailands primary problems. :rolleyes:

^ it is a very valid point; the BRT cost loads (massive corruption of course), was ill thought through, has not worked and is now to be abandoned; the losers are the tax payers and road users, the winners are the corrupt politicians who put it in place - in a 'normal' country the press would be all over this and at the very least sackings would be coming, if not legal action...

So, your point is Lom???

Bangkok Post : PT confident of winning 2 by-elections

PT confident of winning 2 by-elections

• Published: 10/12/2010 at 01:57 PM
• Online news:

The two Puea Thai Party candidates have an excellent chance of winning in this weekend's by-elections in Khon Kaen and Surin, Bangkok MPs chairman Wicharn Minchainand said on Friday.

“We have made an assessment of possible outcomes in the five Dec 12 by-elections this weekend and we are confident that our candidates will win in Khon Kaen and Surin,” he said.

Mr Wicharn said the party’s candidates also had a good chance in Saraburi and Nakhon Ratchasima, where the competition would be fierce.

In Bangkok's constituency 2, where the Democrat Party has fielded former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayothin, Mr Wicharn said his party’s candidate had received a warm welcome from local residents while campaigning.

The Bangkok MP said the charter court's decision to dismiss the two dissolution cases against the ruling Democrat Party had fueled suspicions of double standards.

“This means more voters in the capital will support the Puea Thai candidate,” he said.

The more of these elections PT win, the further away elections become...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...attle-to-doors

Coalition candidates take battle to doors

By-elections will test Thaksin's popularity

• Published: 11/12/2010 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Most coalition party candidates are resorting to door-knocking campaigns and small canvassing rallies to boost their chances of winning in tomorrow's by-elections in five provinces.

Five MP seats are up for grabs: Bangkok's Constituency 2, Khon Kaen's Constituency 2, Ayutthaya's Constituency 1, Nakhon Ratchasima's Constituency 6 and Surin's Constituency 3.

Previous seat holders were disqualified for holding shares in companies with state concessions, which violates the constitution.

The by-elections, particularly in the northeastern provinces of Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima and Surin, will be a test of the popularity of opposition Puea Thai Party's chief supporter Thaksin Shinawatra and the coalition Bhumjaithai Party's de facto leader Newin Chidchob.

Another coalition party, Chart Thai Pattana, is contesting in Ayutthaya.

In Bangkok, the ruling Democrat Party is competing.

In the last leg of the election campaigning, most coalition party candidates have been door-knocking and holding small campaign rallies organised mostly by canvassers.

The race in Nakhon Ratchasima is expected to be fiercely fought as Boonjong Wongtrairat of Bhumjaithai is defending his seat against Puea Thai's Apicha Lertpacharakamol.

Mr Boonjong appears to have an edge over his rival. The former deputy interior minister is believed to have influence over local state officials and leaders who can influence voters.

Mr Apicha's strengths include backing from Pairote Suwanchawee, de facto leader of the Puea Pandin Party, and Suwat Liptapanlop, the main supporter of the Ruam Chart Pattana Party which is part of the coalition government.

The reason Mr Pairote and Suwat have switched their support to Puea Thai is possibly because the two men and Mr Boonjong have long been political foes.

Surawit Khonsomboon, a Puea Thai MP and secretary to the party's campaign team in the Northeast, said he believed Puea Thai had a good chance of winning in Nakhon Ratchasima thanks to the support of Mr Pairote and Mr Suwat. He said Mr Boonjong was out of touch with people as he relied mainly on canvassers.

Puea Thai is also hopeful that it will win the race in Surin. Puea Thai candidate Pathida Tantirattananon is competing against Bhumjaithai candidate Supalak Khuanha.

Mr Surawit said the party's rallies in Surin have drawn even larger crowds than those in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Puea Thai is also banking on the strong support base of its allied red shirt groups in Khon Kaen to win there. It is up against the Democrats.

However, Puea Thai is uncertain it will win in Ayutthaya, where its candidate Ong-art Vachirapong is competing against former deputy transport minister Kuerkul Danchaivichit of Chart Thai Pattana Party. Mr Kuerkul is a former MP in the constituency.

Chart Thai Pattana spokesman Vatchara Kannikar said voters still had faith in Mr Kuerkul.

Puea Thai MP for Bangkok Anudit Nakhonthap said his party did not expect to win in Bangkok due to voters' strong preference for the Democrats.

Bhumjaithai's chief MP Prajak Klaewklaharn said his party would win in Surin and Nakhon Ratchasima.

Col Santirat Mahatthanachart, director of Nakhon Ratchasima's election panel, said more than 6,000 police officers would be dispatched to 554 polling units in the constituencies.

Preparations for Sunday


Preparations for Sunday’s by-elections in five provinces runs smoothly


วันเสาร์ ที่ 11 ธ.ค. 2553

• • https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif

BANGKOK, Dec 11 -- Preparations for tomorrow's by-elections in five Thai provinces have been running smoothly, according to Election Commissioner Prapan Naikowit.

But several irregularities have already been reported to Election Commission (EC) authorities ahead of the by-elections for members of the lower house – including one each in the capital of Bangkok, three northeastern provinces of Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima and Surin, and in the central province of Ayutthaya.

Two days of advance voting took place last weekend while the actual election day is Sunday Dec12.

An additional complaint was lodged in Nakhon Ratchasima province after police arrested a man suspected to have given money to canvassers. The unidentified man is now being interrogated by EC provincial officials.

Two complaints were lodged earlier in the province.

In Bangkok’s Constituency 2 where the by-election will be held, three complaints were submitted to the authorities, said Mr Prapan. Most of the complaints related to defamation -- mud-slinging -- against candidates. EC officials are now probing the complaints.

Mr Prapan said he is concerned regarding expected poor voter turnout due to the long holiday weekend.

Friday was a public holiday in Thailand as the country observed the Constitution Day.

Unofficial election results are expected to be known at about 8pm Sunday, five hours after the booths close at 3pm. Vote tabulation will take place at the polling places, Mr Prapan said. (MCOT online news)

One of the benefits of the coalition 'government' corruption (worked for MrT too) is the extra money to spend on canvassing.

"An additional complaint was lodged in Nakhon Ratchasima province after police arrested a man suspected to have given money to canvassers. The unidentified man is now being interrogated by EC provincial officials."

Hmmm, could be interesting....!

Apparently Chalerm has been saying it wasn't them...

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2010...-30144236.html

Police on alert for vote-buyers today

By The Nation on Sunday
Published on December 12, 2010
https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif

Rewards offered in Korat; EC fears low turnout because of long weekend

The Election Commission is worried about low turnouts in by-elections in five provinces today.

Voting will open from 8am to 3pm today in Bangkok's Constituency 2, Ayutthaya's Constituency 1, Khon Kaen's Constituency 2, Nakhon Ratchasima's Constituency 6 and Surin's Constituency 3.

Prapun Naigowit, the EC member in charge of the operation of elections, said he feared a low turnout as today was a long weekend after Constitution Day on Friday. But the EC expected a turnout of over 50 per cent, he said.

Prapun said unofficial results should be available at 8pm as the vote count would be done at the ballot units.

If there were no complaints, the EC would be able to announce results within seven days.

EC secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn, who inspected the preparations for the by-election in Nakhon Ratchasima, said investigators found vote-buying in Huai Thalaeng district. A suspect who tried to convince locals to vote for a candidate was arrested with both Bt500 and Bt100 banknotes.

The provincial EC and police would investigate the matter, which might be transferred to the central EC later, he said.

Nakhon Ratchasima's Public Relations Department publicised an announcement by Governor Rapee Pongbupphakij that people who give tips or information about vote-buying could receive a reward of up to Bt100,000 for cases that yield successful inquiries. They would share Bt100,000 for each vote-buying case.

Separately, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's weekly programme today will be postponed and aired at 8.30pm, after voting in the by-elections closes.

Abhisit, the Democrat Party leader, agreed that the programme broadcast time should be changed from 9am because of fears that airing the show during election time might break the law.

Abhisit and his family plan vote in the Constituency 2 by-election in Bangkok at Sawasdee Wittaya in Sukhumvit Soi 31 around 9.30am.

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Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

The Election Commission is worried about low turnouts in by-elections in five provinces today.

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I think low turnouts would be caused by the fact that whoever you vote for the army and the couts have the final veto.