Chan clinches presidency of Pathum Thani with slim win

Yesterday, Chan Puangpetch, backed by the ruling Pheu Thai Party, won the presidency of the Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO). The race was close, with Chan receiving 203,032 votes, barely defeating Police Lieutenant General Kamronwit Toopkrajang, who gathered 201,212 votes.

This marked a return to power for Chan, who had previously lost the position to Kamronwit in 2020. Chan's win margin was a slim 1,820 votes. After the victory, Chan gave a thankful speech from his home in Sam Khok district, appreciating the Pathum Thani residents' support and acknowledging the considerable backing from the Pheu Thai Party and Thaksin Shinawatra.

During the provincial electoral competition, 62-year old Chan faced off 72-year old Kamronwit, a former Bangkok Police Commissioner. Chan had previously served three terms as the Pathum Thani PAO president but was defeated by Kamronwit, supported by the Pheu Thai in 2020.

Political analysts observed that Thaksin and key Pheu Thai members were prevalent in Pathum Thani before the PAO election, endorsing Chan's campaign and the party's goals. Thaksin's political history, rooted in the Thai Rak Thai party, has influenced political preferences in Pathum Thani.

In the General Election held on May 14, 2023, the Move Forward Party (MFP) won most house seats in the province, surpassing the Pheu Thai. However, their road to ruling power was blocked, and a coalition government formed by the Pheu Thai and military-related parties. Current polls indicate growing support for the MFP and its leaders for government management and the prime minister role, in contrast to the previous election. The Pheu Thai's popularity and its prime ministerial candidates, however, have seen a considerable drop.

Yesterday, on June 30, Pol. Lt. Gen. Kamronwit was spotted casting his vote in Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani, reflecting the fiercely competitive atmosphere of this closely contested election.

File photo for reference only

-- 2024-07-01

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