Landslide Win For Suthep In Surat Thani By-Election

[webfact]

Landslide win for Suthep in Surat Thani by-election

By SUWANNEE BANDISAK,

PRAPASRI OSATHANON

THE NATION

Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban overwhelmingly won yesterday's by-election in Surat Thani's Constituency 1, according to unofficial results.

At press time, Suthep had received 149,458 votes while Pheu Thai Party's candidate Worawut Wichaidit had 21,956 votes. About 12,000 voters abstained and there were 2,305 invalid ballot cards.

The voter turnout was about 53 per cent.

In advance voting on October 16 and 17, 7,255 votes were cast.

Suthep thanked his supporters for the landslide victory, saying he considered the result as continued support for the Democrat Party and the prime minister.

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan said the party appreciated that its candidate Worawut Wichaidit had received more than 20,000 votes.

Meanwhile, the party would continue running election campaigns in the South in preparation for the next election.

Worawut, a red-shirt leader, said he was proud to have contested against Suthep and said he had compelled Suthep to be more active in learning about the people's problems.

"My congratulations to Suthep Thaugsuban for winning the election. … I consider it my personal victory to have made Suthep go out and personally meet the voters in different corners of Constituency 1. I thank my supporters for every vote they gave me," he said.

Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said he was satisfied with the conduct of the election and the turnout.

"I have received initial reports that the turnout in all the election venues was over 50 per cent. So far, we have seen only some problems in the work of officers' work, but they are very small. We will use this election as a model for holding the next election," he said.

Apichart said the reports of complaints by people in the Wichaidit family, who said their names were missing from eligible voters' list, were still unclear.

He said unless there is a complaint or objection about the vote result, the result can be approved within a week.

Apichart and another EC member, Sodsri Satayathum, observed the by-election yesterday.

Only a small number of voters went out to vote yesterday morning as it was raining.

Veteran politician Suthep was elected MP from Surat Thani in the 2007 election. He resigned from the post last year after the Election Commission questioned his qualification due to his shareholding in some businesses. This time, Suthep resigned from the deputy prime minister's post and ran in the by-election to replace another Democrat, Chumpol Kanchana, who was disqualified as an MP for false reporting of assets.

-- The Nation 2010-10-31

[webfact]

Democrats Score Landslide Victory in Surat By-Election

The ruling Democrat Party has scored a landslide victory in the Surathani Constituency 1 by-election.

Party secretary general Suthep Thuagsuban gained at least 140,000 votes with more than 80 percent of the votes rallied.

His opponent, Pheu Thai candidate Worawut Wichaidit, gained less than 22,000 votes at the same time.

-- Tan Network 2010-10-31

[OzMick]

Local sentiment is that the Democrats could run a power pole against a Red candidate and still get it elected. Surat had a few little bombs in April.............no responsibility claimed or culprits arrested.

[whybother]

Although this can't be used to say what will happen throughout the country, it does give an indication that there is plenty of support for the current government when the main person responsible for handling the protests by the red shirts gets such a sweeping victory.

[Robby nz]

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan said the party appreciated that its candidate Worawut Wichaidit had received more than 20,000 votes.

Meanwhile, the party would continue running election campaigns in the South in preparation for the next election.

I wonder if the Dems are 'allowed' to run election campaigns in Issan?

The reception the PAD mob got in Surin is probably an indication they are not.

The answer to that question will give a great insight into the PTP and reds version of democracy.

[Buchholz]

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan said the party appreciated that its candidate Worawut Wichaidit had received more than 20,000 votes.

That Jatuporn didn't campaign in his own hometown of Surat Thani, for candidate Worawut is very revealing.

Also, Red Leader Worawut's crushing defeat coming on the heels of Red Leader Korkaew's crushing defeat in the Bangkok election is also revealing.

[SergeiY]

Although this can't be used to say what will happen throughout the country, it does give an indication that there is plenty of support for the current government when the main person responsible for handling the protests by the red shirts gets such a sweeping victory.

not really.

It just indicates that it doesn't matter what a Thai politician does - at his home town/province the locals will still vote for him. With a family name like Silpa-archa, Chidchob or Thaugsuban you don't have to be worried to get elected.

[animatic]

Why vote for a yob who's friends have made sure you had less work this year,

versus voting for one who historically gets services delivered.

Not at all surprised at the local vote.

[chainarong]

53% of Surat Thani have done their Thai democracy duty and have spoken, with pen and paper.

[jayjay0]

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan said the party appreciated that its candidate Worawut Wichaidit had received more than 20,000 votes.

That Jatuporn didn't campaign in his own hometown of Surat Thani, for candidate Worawut is very revealing.

Also, Red Leader Worawut's crushing defeat coming on the heels of Red Leader Korkaew's crushing defeat in the Bangkok election is also revealing.

Revealing yes. But do you think the red shirts have what it takes to see it and make changes accordingly? Or maybe they do and there exiled leader, hero, idol won't let them.

Edited October 31, 2010 by jayjay0

[phiphidon]

Why vote for a yob who's friends have made sure you had less work this year,

versus voting for one who historically gets services delivered.

Not at all surprised at the local vote.

"Why vote for a yob who's friends have made sure you had less work this year,

versus voting for one who historically gets services delivered."

He sure does. This from The Nation in 2007 reporting on the Phuket Land Scandal

"September 13, 1992: Democrats win election The Democrat Party wins a general election held after the bloodshed uprising of May 1992. Its leader Chuan Leekpai assumes power as the prime minister.

The Democrat-led government faced a crisis of faith after two and a half years in power over a scandal of land reform programme in Phuket.

Agriculture minister Suthep Thaugsuban gave title deeds to 592 plots of land in Khao Sam Liam, Kamala and Nakkerd hills to 489 farmers.

It was later found that members of 11 wealthy families in Phuket were among the recipients. The scandal led to the House dissolution in July 1995".

http://www.nationmul...cs_30048446.php

[MAJIC]

One can only hope that this result is a general indication that the Red Shirt Madness is over!

[jayboy]

One can only hope that this result is a general indication that the Red Shirt Madness is over!

Don't be a tit.It's Surat Thani, a corrupt old style Democrat seat.I'm just surprised PTP got nearly 22,000 votes there

[jdinasia]

One can only hope that this result is a general indication that the Red Shirt Madness is over!

Don't be a tit.It's Surat Thani, a corrupt old style Democrat seat.I'm just surprised PTP got nearly 22,000 votes there

It is Surat .... a mostly rural and farming province that is where Jatuporn originated. If there was any grassroots participation in the Red cause, you would think that it would have been seen there. Not in Surat town and nor on Koh Samui, etc ... but in the villages and rural areas. Did we see any of that? No.

Population of Surat --- 1Million (approximate)

Non-rural population --- 200,000

eligible voters (again an approximation) 360,000

(note the numbers do not work out right, --- I assume the reason is that some of the population there is not eligible to vote there as they are registered in other places --- or are foreigners)

leaving about 800k in rural Surat Thani province ... a place that a major leader of the UDD is associated with.

[phiphidon]

One can only hope that this result is a general indication that the Red Shirt Madness is over!

Don't be a tit.It's Surat Thani, a corrupt old style Democrat seat.I'm just surprised PTP got nearly 22,000 votes there

What was surprising to me, having read the other paper, was not that there were 2,481 spoiled ballot papers but that 12,060 people voted for no one ! How do they do that - is there a special box marked "none of the above" ?

[jdinasia]

One can only hope that this result is a general indication that the Red Shirt Madness is over!

Don't be a tit.It's Surat Thani, a corrupt old style Democrat seat.I'm just surprised PTP got nearly 22,000 votes there

What was surprising to me, having read the other paper, was not that there were 2,481 spoiled ballot papers but that 12,060 people voted for no one ! How do they do that - is there a special box marked "none of the above" ?

Basically .. yes there is.

When the Dems decided not to contest Thaksin's last attempt at a rigged election. They ran a "no Vote" campaign.

They did not tell people NOT to vote. They told people to go vote and to vote for nobody. (To tell people not to vote is illegal in Thailand. Voting is compulsory here.)

[Buchholz]

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan said the party appreciated that its candidate Worawut Wichaidit had received more than 20,000 votes.

That Jatuporn didn't campaign in his own hometown of Surat Thani, for candidate Worawut is very revealing.

Also, Red Leader Worawut's crushing defeat coming on the heels of Red Leader Korkaew's crushing defeat in the Bangkok election is also revealing.

Revealing yes. But do you think the red shirts have what it takes to see it and make changes accordingly? Or maybe they do and there exiled leader, hero, idol won't let them.

The Red Shirts don't operate as a separate entity from the finacier. He decides what they and PTP do. It's not a matter of he won't let them, because that implies they have some say in matters.

It's a matter of them doing whatever he says or he'll cut the purse strings and find someone else that does.

[Buchholz]

One can only hope that this result is a general indication that the Red Shirt Madness is over!

Don't be a tit.It's Surat Thani, a corrupt old style Democrat seat.I'm just surprised PTP got nearly 22,000 votes there

What was surprising to me, having read the other paper, was not that there were 2,481 spoiled ballot papers but that 12,060 people voted for no one ! How do they do that - is there a special box marked "none of the above" ?

The Red Shirt Leader was thankful that he managed to be able to defeat "no one" on the ballot.

[MAJIC]

One can only hope that this result is a general indication that the Red Shirt Madness is over!

Don't be a tit.It's Surat Thani, a corrupt old style Democrat seat.I'm just surprised PTP got nearly 22,000 votes there

By all means put on a brave face if you must,

Fact is the Red Shirts and Supporters have little or no chance of winning any future National Election!

[mufcsamui]

In advance voting on October 16 and 17, 7,255 votes were cast.<br><br>So all entertainment venues etc were closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday night losing millions in revenue on Koh Samui alone so 7,255 could stay sober to vote.

Edited October 31, 2010 by mufcsamui

[cdnvic]

Next one to throw out an insult is leaving here for a while.

[monkfish]

I am so happy for Samui they got the MP they deserve The Right Honourable Gentleman Suthep

Congratulations!

[jayboy]

One can only hope that this result is a general indication that the Red Shirt Madness is over!

Don't be a tit.It's Surat Thani, a corrupt old style Democrat seat.I'm just surprised PTP got nearly 22,000 votes there

By all means put on a brave face if you must,

Fact is the Red Shirts and Supporters have little or no chance of winning any future National Election!

The point (not a fact by the way) in your second paragraph is a reasonable one for discussion.My point is that the result in Surat Thani doesn't provide many clues.

[whybother]

The point (not a fact by the way) in your second paragraph is a reasonable one for discussion.My point is that the result in Surat Thani doesn't provide many clues.

Although the result of this by-election does not show what is likely for the rest of the country, the clue that it does give is that there has been no backlash against the government for their efforts during April/May.

If there is no backlash against the government in Democrat areas, that means that the PTP has little chance of winning new seats.

With the BJT going up against the PTP in red shirt areas, the PTP has the chance of losing seats.

In a number of areas where the PTP won the seat with a small percentage of the vote, it is possible that with the PTP and BJT fighting over those votes that the Democrat percentage will be enough to win the seat. Remember, the MP doesn't need a majority, just the most votes. That means if the PTP previously won the seat with 40% of the vote against the Democrats 30%, and the BJT take 10-15% of the PTP vote, the Democrats could win the seat with their 30%.

Also, with the PTP stating many times that their main aim is to get Thaksin back in the country and whitewash his crimes, those "many" red shirt supporters that hate Thaksin will not vote for the PTP, giving them even less chance.

[hyperdimension]

I'm just surprised PTP got nearly 22,000 votes there

Me too. These people who voted for PTP must have something wrong with their minds to want to elect criminal thugs (or those associated with such people) to lead them.

[jayboy]

I'm just surprised PTP got nearly 22,000 votes there

Me too. These people who voted for PTP must have something wrong with their minds to want to elect criminal thugs (or those associated with such people) to lead them.

No you have got mixed up.The criminal thug Suthep is a member of the Democrat Party.

[animatic]

Why vote for a yob who's friends have made sure you had less work this year,

versus voting for one who historically gets services delivered.

Not at all surprised at the local vote.

"Why vote for a yob who's friends have made sure you had less work this year,

versus voting for one who historically gets services delivered."

He sure does. This from The Nation in 2007 reporting on the Phuket Land Scandal

"September 13, 1992: Democrats win election The Democrat Party wins a general election held after the bloodshed uprising of May 1992. Its leader Chuan Leekpai assumes power as the prime minister.

The Democrat-led government faced a crisis of faith after two and a half years in power over a scandal of land reform programme in Phuket.

Agriculture minister Suthep Thaugsuban gave title deeds to 592 plots of land in Khao Sam Liam, Kamala and Nakkerd hills to 489 farmers.

It was later found that members of 11 wealthy families in Phuket were among the recipients. The scandal led to the House dissolution in July 1995".

http://www.nationmul...cs_30048446.php

Trying to resurrect a long dead scandal for current gain, eh?

The opposition has been trying to spin this one for nearly 20 years.

Suthep does something that was good, but the typical corruption of other people finds ways to get through loopholes. Suthep didn't personally hand out the titles. It was the usual ministry and influential persons shenanigans.

If you want to say Suthep wasn't successful in preventing this from happening I'll buy that, but they have tried to say for nearly 20 years that he directed this and not a shred of actual proof has ever been shown, just innuendo and accusations. But it keeps popping up like a macabre jack in the box.

By the way Surat Thani and Phuket are 400 km apart and are quite different places.

Edited November 1, 2010 by animatic

[animatic]

One can only hope that this result is a general indication that the Red Shirt Madness is over!

Don't be a tit.It's Surat Thani, a corrupt old style Democrat seat.I'm just surprised PTP got nearly 22,000 votes there

What was surprising to me, having read the other paper, was not that there were 2,481 spoiled ballot papers but that 12,060 people voted for no one ! How do they do that - is there a special box marked "none of the above" ?

Leave them blank.

They get logged in for having voted, but drop a blank sheet in the box.

Often done by those preferring a 3rd candidate, but who never got in the running

[animatic]

I'm just surprised PTP got nearly 22,000 votes there

Me too. These people who voted for PTP must have something wrong with their minds to want to elect criminal thugs (or those associated with such people) to lead them.

There are many people here with North country connections, who have changed their voting district to here. So logically a few will vote like the family back home wishes, but a distinct minority. Most of the Issan folks here have access to more open media and information and don't buy the up country lockstep party line anymore.

[phiphidon]

One can only hope that this result is a general indication that the Red Shirt Madness is over!

Don't be a tit.It's Surat Thani, a corrupt old style Democrat seat.I'm just surprised PTP got nearly 22,000 votes there

What was surprising to me, having read the other paper, was not that there were 2,481 spoiled ballot papers but that 12,060 people voted for no one ! How do they do that - is there a special box marked "none of the above" ?

Leave them blank.

They get logged in for having voted, but drop a blank sheet in the box.

Often done by those preferring a 3rd candidate, but who never got in the running

Thanks for that ,still like the idea of "none of the above" tick box though