Apirak Wins Bangkok Governor Election

[george]

Apirak wins Bangkok Governor election

BANGKOK: -- Apirak Kosayodhin, the leader of Thailand's opposition Democrat Party, won re-election Sunday as governor of Bangkok, defeating the ruling party candidate as well as a one-time sex tycoon, exit polls showed.

The country's two most reliable polls showed Apirak leading by a large margin over Prapas Chongsa-nguan of the ruling People's Power Party and Chuwit Kamolvisit, former owner of a string of massage parlors who last week punched out a TV news anchor for asking confrontational questions.

If official results confirm the exit polls, Apirak, a former cell phone company executive, will serve another four years as governor, or mayor, of a metropolis that is both vibrant and beset by traffic jams, pollution and corruption scandals.

A Suan Dusit University exit poll showed Apirak with 52 percent of the vote, followed by Prapas with 23 percent and Chuwit with 12 percent. An Assumption University poll had similar figures.

Sukhum Chaleuysap of the Suan Dusit poll said Chuwit's popularity took a major plunge after his attack on the news anchor Thursday.

The People's Power Party, which leads the national ruling coalition, has been under attack by thousands of demonstrators who charge it serves as a proxy for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup for alleged corruption and now lives in exile in London.

Four million people were eligible to choose among 16 candidates in Sunday's voting. The unofficial population of Bangkok is estimated at over 13 million.

Official results were expected Monday.

-- AP 2008-10-05

[george]

Apirak's votes climb to over 950,000

Former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin has received over 950,000 votes when the ballot counting has been done by 90.94 per cent at 22:20 pm.

-- The Nation 2008-10-05

[george]

City-wide Total Votes

50 BKK districts

Eligible voters 4,086,604

Voter turnout 2,329,698

Percentage: 57.0 %

(Reported up to 23.55 PM )

No. 	Name 	Candidate No. 	Votes
1 	Apirak Kosayothin 	5 	954,134
2 	Prapas Jongsanguan 	10 	519,445
3 	Chuwit Kamolwisit 	8 	327,238
4 	Kringsak Charoenwongsak 	2 	249,439
5 	Leena Jangjanja 	7 	7,145
6 	Witthaya Jangkobwattana 	9 	5,063
7 	Warawuth Thanangkorn 	4 	4,559
8 	Kittisak Thirawisit 	1 	3,359
9 	Metta Temchamnarn 	3 	3,299
10 	Sumet Tantanasirikul 	6 	1,788
11 	Popsak Parnsithong 	11 	1,525
12 	Thoranee Ritteethamrong 	12 	1,088
13 	Wachiraporn Ayuyuen 	14 	1,056
14 	Udom Wiboontepachart 	13 	653
15 	Somchai Paiboon 	15 	569
16 	Nipon Simprayoon 	16 	385

[jdinasia]

The amazing thing is that Chuwit came in 3rd! (and yes I think that is name recognition and a sense of humor and some disapproval of the Demos and the PPP that gave him that many votes!)

[phaethon]

HiSo Leena did the best of the also rans, but that's a huge gap between them and the top four.

Business as usual then..?

BTW: Which is the tycoon who has only had sex once?

[Moonrakers]

There was only going to be one winner really.

It will be interesting to see how this might affect the PAD situation, after all an I correct in thinking that the Dems are (Of course) sympathetic to the PAD. It may not be a cabinet position but surely the Dems have just won themselves a fair bit of clout in Thai politics.

[WitawatWatawit]

City-wide Total Votes

50 BKK districts

Eligible voters 4,086,604

Voter turnout 2,329,698

Percentage: 57.0 %

(Reported up to 23.55 PM )

No.	 Name	 Candidate No.	 Votes
1	 Apirak Kosayothin	 5	 954,134
2	 Prapas Jongsanguan	 10	 519,445
3	 Chuwit Kamolwisit	 8	 327,238
4	 Kringsak Charoenwongsak	 2	 249,439
5	 Leena Jangjanja	 7	 7,145
6	 Witthaya Jangkobwattana	 9	 5,063
7	 Warawuth Thanangkorn	 4	 4,559
8	 Kittisak Thirawisit	 1	 3,359
9	 Metta Temchamnarn	 3	 3,299
10	 Sumet Tantanasirikul	 6	 1,788
11	 Popsak Parnsithong	 11	 1,525
12	 Thoranee Ritteethamrong	 12	 1,088
13	 Wachiraporn Ayuyuen	 14	 1,056
14	 Udom Wiboontepachart	 13	 653
15	 Somchai Paiboon	 15	 569
16	 Nipon Simprayoon	 16	 385

That a third of a million people in Thailand's supposedly most politically-enlightened city should vote for a confessed criminal, pimp of under-age prostitutes, and general all-round thug as the person to present the face of their capital city to the world makes me speechless. Barred from the US (and who knows how many other countries), how can those voters live with their decision? Shades of Narong Wongwan (Wrong-One?). And Watana Asawahame. And ... and ... and ...

[animatic]

Well he kept his job

How does this outcome differ number wise from the last one?

If he indeed has gone up, then it becomes a more significant victory.

I feel bad for Nipon Simprayoon 16 385

15 million plus persons in Grunthep and this cat

can't get even 400 to vote for'm.

He might have done better beating on the TV guy

instead of Chump Change The Pimp doing it.

Nippie might have gotten a few more ambulance drivers on his side.

HiSo Leena, noso mayor.

Modern Dog would have won more votes.

Edited October 5, 2008 by animatic

[h90]

City-wide Total Votes

50 BKK districts

Eligible voters 4,086,604

Voter turnout 2,329,698

Percentage: 57.0 %

(Reported up to 23.55 PM )

No.	 Name	 Candidate No.	 Votes
1	 Apirak Kosayothin	 5	 954,134
2	 Prapas Jongsanguan	 10	 519,445
3	 Chuwit Kamolwisit	 8	 327,238
4	 Kringsak Charoenwongsak	 2	 249,439
5	 Leena Jangjanja	 7	 7,145
6	 Witthaya Jangkobwattana	 9	 5,063
7	 Warawuth Thanangkorn	 4	 4,559
8	 Kittisak Thirawisit	 1	 3,359
9	 Metta Temchamnarn	 3	 3,299
10	 Sumet Tantanasirikul	 6	 1,788
11	 Popsak Parnsithong	 11	 1,525
12	 Thoranee Ritteethamrong	 12	 1,088
13	 Wachiraporn Ayuyuen	 14	 1,056
14	 Udom Wiboontepachart	 13	 653
15	 Somchai Paiboon	 15	 569
16	 Nipon Simprayoon	 16	 385

That a third of a million people in Thailand's supposedly most politically-enlightened city should vote for a confessed criminal, pimp of under-age prostitutes, and general all-round thug as the person to present the face of their capital city to the world makes me speechless. Barred from the US (and who knows how many other countries), how can those voters live with their decision? Shades of Narong Wongwan (Wrong-One?). And Watana Asawahame. And ... and ... and ...

mathematics is not yours or?

Calculate it again, it is not 1/3

that under-age story is as well not as you tell.

I would say people are bored by the "normal" politic.

[animatic]

NO clue <deleted> you are talking about.

We get pretty much to say what we like on topic.

Chutwit got 14.4% if I calculate correctly at this hour.

About 14% too high for most reasoning,

but tough guys look like leaders here,

because often they ARE leaders here.

Doesn't mean they are GOOD ones...

Edited October 6, 2008 by Jockstar
To remove quoted text

[buddyholly1]

City-wide Total Votes

50 BKK districts

Eligible voters 4,086,604

Voter turnout 2,329,698

Percentage: 57.0 %

(Reported up to 23.55 PM )

No.	 Name	 Candidate No.	 Votes
1	 Apirak Kosayothin	 5	 954,134
2	 Prapas Jongsanguan	 10	 519,445
3	 Chuwit Kamolwisit	 8	 327,238
4	 Kringsak Charoenwongsak	 2	 249,439
5	 Leena Jangjanja	 7	 7,145
6	 Witthaya Jangkobwattana	 9	 5,063
7	 Warawuth Thanangkorn	 4	 4,559
8	 Kittisak Thirawisit	 1	 3,359
9	 Metta Temchamnarn	 3	 3,299
10	 Sumet Tantanasirikul	 6	 1,788
11	 Popsak Parnsithong	 11	 1,525
12	 Thoranee Ritteethamrong	 12	 1,088
13	 Wachiraporn Ayuyuen	 14	 1,056
14	 Udom Wiboontepachart	 13	 653
15	 Somchai Paiboon	 15	 569
16	 Nipon Simprayoon	 16	 385

That a third of a million people in Thailand's supposedly most politically-enlightened city should vote for a confessed criminal, pimp of under-age prostitutes, and general all-round thug as the person to present the face of their capital city to the world makes me speechless. Barred from the US (and who knows how many other countries), how can those voters live with their decision? Shades of Narong Wongwan (Wrong-One?). And Watana Asawahame. And ... and ... and ...

mathematics is not yours or?

Calculate it again, it is not 1/3

that under-age story is as well not as you tell.

I would say people are bored by the "normal" politic.

Close enough to 1/3.

Actually 0.327238 of a million.

How many decimal points do you normally require

[larvidchr]

Well he kept his job

How does this out ome differ number wise from the last one?

If he indeed has gone up, then it becomes a more significant victory.

I feel bad for Nipon Simprayoon 16 385

15 million plus persons in Grunthep and this cat

can't get even 400 to vote for'm.

He might have done better beating on the TV guy

instead of Chump Change The Pimp doing it.

Nippie might have gotten a few more ambulance drivers on his side.

HiSo Leena, noso mayor.

Modern Dog would have won more votes.

4.086.604 Eligible voters Animatic! out of 13 to 16 million people, if all the people living in Bangkok actually had the right to vote in the local elections things would come out mighty different.

[animatic]

2.329,698 ÷ Total votes cast

327,238 = Chutwit votes

7.119277 Chutwits total goes into total votes cast 7 times +/-

100% ÷

7.119277 =

14.04637 % of total 100% votes cast.

Unless I am MUCH more asleep than I think now...

[GungaDin]

You have to be over 13 to be taken seriously.

Clearly, you don't meet that simple criteria.

[JetsetBkk]

That a third of a million people in Thailand's supposedly most politically-enlightened city should vote for a confessed criminal, pimp of under-age prostitutes, and general all-round thug as the person to present the face of their capital city to the world makes me speechless. Barred from the US (and who knows how many other countries), how can those voters live with their decision? Shades of Narong Wongwan (Wrong-One?). And Watana Asawahame. And ... and ... and ...

Agree totally - unbelievable.

Mind you, there are a few posters on here that have indicated an admiration for the thug.

[WitawatWatawit]

City-wide Total Votes

50 BKK districts

Eligible voters 4,086,604

Voter turnout 2,329,698

Percentage: 57.0 %

(Reported up to 23.55 PM )

No.	 Name	 Candidate No.	 Votes
1	 Apirak Kosayothin	 5	 954,134
2	 Prapas Jongsanguan	 10	 519,445
3	 Chuwit Kamolwisit	 8	 327,238
4	 Kringsak Charoenwongsak	 2	 249,439
5	 Leena Jangjanja	 7	 7,145
6	 Witthaya Jangkobwattana	 9	 5,063
7	 Warawuth Thanangkorn	 4	 4,559
8	 Kittisak Thirawisit	 1	 3,359
9	 Metta Temchamnarn	 3	 3,299
10	 Sumet Tantanasirikul	 6	 1,788
11	 Popsak Parnsithong	 11	 1,525
12	 Thoranee Ritteethamrong	 12	 1,088
13	 Wachiraporn Ayuyuen	 14	 1,056
14	 Udom Wiboontepachart	 13	 653
15	 Somchai Paiboon	 15	 569
16	 Nipon Simprayoon	 16	 385

That a third of a million people in Thailand's supposedly most politically-enlightened city should vote for a confessed criminal, pimp of under-age prostitutes, and general all-round thug as the person to present the face of their capital city to the world makes me speechless. Barred from the US (and who knows how many other countries), how can those voters live with their decision? Shades of Narong Wongwan (Wrong-One?). And Watana Asawahame. And ... and ... and ...

mathematics is not yours or?

Calculate it again, it is not 1/3

that under-age story is as well not as you tell.

I would say people are bored by the "normal" politic.

I said a third of a million (give-or-take a few hundred thousand) votes, NOT a third of the votes.

The under-age story is backed up by quotes from the man himself (do a google). He acknowledged a 17yo was working in one of his brothels (sorry, but can't call them by any other name as he himself acknowledges). One of his managers was arrested for that and took the rap -- despite the fact that the buck stops with him. He's also acknowledged (and he's put it on record) to having prostitutes working in his massage parlours who are under the age of 20. AND freely confessed to having supplied prostitutes to police as a form of graft. It's all on record and direct from his own mouth. He's freely admitted to being responsible for the violent destruction of Sukhumvit Soi 10 in which several people were hurt.

Spare me your crocodile tears for a man who is basically immoral.

[yeeowww]

City-wide Total Votes

50 BKK districts

Eligible voters 4,086,604

Voter turnout 2,329,698

Percentage: 57.0 %

(Reported up to 23.55 PM )

No.	 Name	 Candidate No.	 Votes
1	 Apirak Kosayothin	 5	 954,134
2	 Prapas Jongsanguan	 10	 519,445
3	 Chuwit Kamolwisit	 8	 327,238
4	 Kringsak Charoenwongsak	 2	 249,439
5	 Leena Jangjanja	 7	 7,145
6	 Witthaya Jangkobwattana	 9	 5,063
7	 Warawuth Thanangkorn	 4	 4,559
8	 Kittisak Thirawisit	 1	 3,359
9	 Metta Temchamnarn	 3	 3,299
10	 Sumet Tantanasirikul	 6	 1,788
11	 Popsak Parnsithong	 11	 1,525
12	 Thoranee Ritteethamrong	 12	 1,088
13	 Wachiraporn Ayuyuen	 14	 1,056
14	 Udom Wiboontepachart	 13	 653
15	 Somchai Paiboon	 15	 569
16	 Nipon Simprayoon	 16	 385

That a third of a million people in Thailand's supposedly most politically-enlightened city should vote for a confessed criminal, pimp of under-age prostitutes, and general all-round thug as the person to present the face of their capital city to the world makes me speechless. Barred from the US (and who knows how many other countries), how can those voters live with their decision? Shades of Narong Wongwan (Wrong-One?). And Watana Asawahame. And ... and ... and ...

mathematics is not yours or?

Calculate it again, it is not 1/3

that under-age story is as well not as you tell.

I would say people are bored by the "normal" politic.

I said a third of a million (give-or-take a few hundred thousand) votes, NOT a third of the votes.

The under-age story is backed up by quotes from the man himself (do a google). He acknowledged a 17yo was working in one of his brothels (sorry, but can't call them by any other name as he himself acknowledges). One of his managers was arrested for that and took the rap -- despite the fact that the buck stops with him. He's also acknowledged (and he's put it on record) to having prostitutes working in his massage parlours who are under the age of 20. AND freely confessed to having supplied prostitutes to police as a form of graft. It's all on record and direct from his own mouth. He's freely admitted to being responsible for the violent destruction of Sukhumvit Soi 10 in which several people were hurt.

Spare me your crocodile tears for a man who is basically immoral.

Doesn't anyone have anything better or more constructive to do with your lives than split hairs about voter turnout percentages? reading this string has been as much fun as trying to solve a Rubik's Cube! pump it up gang... you're just getting hot!

[Richard W]

Apirak Kosayodhin, the leader of Thailand's opposition Democrat Party ...

-- AP 2008-10-05

So what's become of Abhisit?

[inthepink]

That a third of a million people in Thailand's supposedly most politically-enlightened city should vote for a confessed criminal, pimp of under-age prostitutes, and general all-round thug as the person to present the face of their capital city to the world makes me speechless. Barred from the US (and who knows how many other countries), how can those voters live with their decision? Shades of Narong Wongwan (Wrong-One?). And Watana Asawahame. And ... and ... and ...

What a ridiculously pompous post. I don't think anyone here cares that he has been barred from the US - big deal. Secondly, US politicians' behaviour does not stand up to any kind of close scrutiny either, so why don't you come down off your high horse there?

[sriracha john]

Well he kept his job

How does this outcome differ number wise from the last one?

If he indeed has gone up, then it becomes a more significant victory.

His numbers are up....

Sweeping victory for Apirak in city poll

The Democrat Party's Apirak Kosayodhin won a sweeping victory in yesterday's Bangkok Governor election, polling more than 991,000 votes and bettering his result of four years ago. He won nearly twice as many votes as his rival Prapas Chongsa-nguan of the People Power Party. Mr Apirak was seeking a second term and was re-elected for another four years. Four years ago, he won the race with 911,441 votes. Unofficial voting results late last night showed Mr Apirak gained 991,081 votes, representing 45.93% of voters who went to the polls, followed by Prapas with 543,488 (25.19%), Chuwit Kamolvisit with 340,616 (15.79%), Kriengsak Charoenwongsak with 260,051 (12.05%), and Leena Jangjanja on 6,267 (0.29%). Turnout for the election was 54.18% or 2,214,320 votes out of 4,087,329 eligible voters, according to the Election Commission. Mr Apirak is the second governor after former Bangkok Governor Chamlong Srimuang to be elected for a second consecutive term.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/061008_News/06Oct2008_news03.php

[sriracha john]

PPP denies poll result shows appeal is fading

Key leaders of the PPP dismiss the notion that the results of Bangkok Governor election yesterday reflect its declining popularity in the capital. PM and acting Party Leader Somchai Wongsawat said the vote tally of PPP candidate Prapas Chongsa-nguan, who came second after Democrat candidate Apirak Kosayodhin, was partly because the PPP did not field a candidate in the previous governor election. Deputy Public Health Minister Wicharn Meenchainant, a PPP MP in the Bangkok faction led by Sudarat Keyuraphan, said the results could not be used as a benchmark for the PPP's popularity in the capital as voters tended to go for different parties in local polls from the ones they favour in general elections. Wicharn and Social Development and Human Security Minister Udomdej Rattanasathien, another Bangkok faction member, said Prapas had not campaigned for long. Wicharn said that Prapas did not have a chance to debate one-on-one with Apirak. Prapas resigned as Governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to run in the election under the PPP banner only days before the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration started the application process. Polls by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University and Assumption University conducted before the voting day put him third behind Apirak and Chuwit Kamolvisit. But he came second yesterday in unofficial counts. A PPP source said Prapas would have earned more votes had PPP executives been more sincere in their support of him. The source said Sudarat initially agreed to lead the PPP canvassing team to support Prapas, but she refused to give financial support during the first two weeks of the campaign period. Canvassing then went smoothly after one PPP core leader called London to ask former PM Thaksin Shinawatra to talk Sudarat into supporting Prapas, said the source.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/061008_News/06Oct2008_news05.php

Edited October 6, 2008 by sriracha john

[animatic]

Spin, spin, SPIN it quick!

Lose 2 to 1

and then send in the Spinmeisters to prove

it wasn't as bad, bad, bad as it clearely was.

'Slutwit Camaltoetwit' gets almost 16%...ouch.

Tough and viscious does seem to have it's rooting section.

[toptuan]

It really scares me about Thai society, when a third of a million votes goes toward Chuwit, the Thug.

I talked to an admirer of his yesterday, a university student.

The only outstanding qualification they could think of for him: "He knows Muay Thai!"

Edited October 6, 2008 by toptuan

[Navalator]

Considering the current administration in Washington, being barred from the US is an honor.

[TAWP]

It really scares me about Thai society, when a third of a million votes goes toward Chuwit, the Thug.

I talked to an admirer of his yesterday, a university student.

The only outstanding qualification they could think of for him: "He knows Muay Thai!"

Indeed, which exposes the flaws of democracy when being known is more important than having a good ideological position and a proper agenda.

As much as I like Arnold and what he has done for Kalifornia (intensional spelling), he wouldn't have stood a chance had he not been a Hollywood superstar.

And there-in lies the crux.

[Plus]

That a third of a million people in Thailand's supposedly most politically-enlightened city should vote for a confessed criminal, pimp of under-age prostitutes, and general all-round thug as the person to present the face of their capital city to the world makes me speechless.

Actually his support numbers are in line with right-wing nationalists in Europe. There's always a percentage of the population who likes these type of candidates.

[Gravelrash]

That a third of a million people in Thailand's supposedly most politically-enlightened city should vote for a confessed criminal, pimp of under-age prostitutes, and general all-round thug as the person to present the face of their capital city to the world makes me speechless. Barred from the US (and who knows how many other countries), how can those voters live with their decision? Shades of Narong Wongwan (Wrong-One?). And Watana Asawahame. And ... and ... and ...

Now hang on a minute, where do you get off with those sort of comments. It is widely recognized that only the stupid Isaan farmers shouldn't be allowed to vote. The cosmopolitan and sophisticated Bangkok electorate are a very different matter. You have obviously misunderstood the finer points that he was campaigning on, shows a real ignorance of the subtleties of Thai politics.

[TAWP]

Don't be confused Gravelrash, it's common knowledge within the circles that 90% of voters overall (pretty much no matter what country) aren't fit to be voters in the true sense of the word. We however allow ignorance to guide us in election after election.

The problem with the voters you referred to is the level of organized vote-buying from top-down and then local enforcement by village headmen and their ilk. And to give credit, it is hard to vote against the 'best' of the village if less votes means less money without a real chance of voting up any other candidate. It can become a practical choice of 'receive less or more founds to the village', since the end result of what MP that gets elected will hardly be influenced by a rebellion by a few... the same tactics sheepdogs use.

[eggomaniac]

confused by the headline, I am! (Apirak wins Bangkok election; PAD core leader Chamlong arrested‏)

an Aprik won got that.

Prapas Chongsa-nguan was 2nd, got that

Chuwit Kamolvisit was 3rd AND punched out a reporter, got that

who is Chamlong and why did he get arrested?

[eggomaniac]

whoops, I see. it was two posts NOT one.

I guess Chamlong is a federal politician!?

STILL have a question, though. Did the pimp get arrested for assaulting the reporter?