NATIONAL ELECTION

Sports stars eye political glory

By The Nation

Celebrities and sports heroes are being paraded by many political parties in the hope that their star appeal would help boost their popularity in the July poll.

Many former boxing champions have joined the Chart Thai Pattana Party, whose leader Chumpol Silapa-archa is the minister of tourism and sports.

"From now on, we don't need bullet-proof vehicles like other parties, as we have at least four former boxing champions with us," he said.

The 1996 Olympic gold medallist boxer, Somrak Khamsing, would contest a seat from Khon Kaen under the banner of the party. Former world boxing champion Khaosai Galaxy would run in his home province of Phetchabun.

Thai kick boxing champion Charoenthong Kietbanchong would seek to represent Nakhon Si Thammarat, and 2000 Olympic gold medallist boxer Manas Boonchamnong would also be fielded by the Chart Thai Pattana Party.

Somrak said he believes his boxing fans and voters still remembered him even though he quit the profession a long time ago.

Khaosai, who is now a television star, said he has been interested in politics for a long time and is now working on a PhD in political science.

"I know not only boxing but also politics," he said.

Chumpol said his party would find some beauty queens to run in the election.

"Look at our party list, there will be plenty of good quality candidates," he said.

Former soccer star Piyapong Piew-on, former tennis champion Paradorn Srichaphan and the 2000 Olympic bronze medallist of women's taekwondo Yaowapa Boorapolchai have said they would run in the race for the Chart Pattana Puea Paendin Party.

Chuwit Kamolvisit, leader of the Rak Prathet Thai (Love Thailand) Party, revealed 10 unpopular candidates on his party list.

Chuwit brought with him to his press conference a Mercedes-Benz steering wheel and a white bull terrier as symbols of good direction and honesty.

The ruling Democrat Party also showed some faces whom it claimed are from the new generation, while the rival Pheu Thai Party introduced eight candidates who had defected from other parties.

-- The Nation 2011-05-13

Yes, I saw it on the Nation channel news last night.

What occurred to me was that I did not hear any of these sport personnel mentioned how they could help the country, and what they are planning to bring their own idea and convictions to help improve the life of the citizen of Thailand. The only thing I heard was that they were repeating their party slogan of cooperation and friendship. What a pity!

At one point, during the telephone interview, the 1996 Olympic gold medallist boxer, Somrak Khamsing, was asked if he was ready for the campaigning and the upcoming election. He answered "yes of course, I am ready and that was how I won the Olympic". !!!??? The Nation newscaster had to interject that his winning the Olympic in 1996 has nothing to do with his readiness of his campaigning and the upcoming election. God helps Thailand and her people if he is elected, I pray.