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The MP that resigned causing this by-election (Sumet Rithakhani) lost the PAO election by a huge margin to the former PAO head Chan Phuangphet (an independent) by 110,974 to 214,429 votes.

amazingly, the Pheu Thai MP's are at it again... with a sitting MP giving up his seat in Parliament in order to run for PAO. The candidate risks getting thrown out of the Party just like what happened to Sumet above...

Vichian to contest Udon Thani PAO race

Pheu Thai MP Vichian Khaokham on Tuesday confirmed he would quit his House seat in order to contest the race for the position of the Provincial Organisation Administration chairman in Udon Thani.

Vichian is expected to submit his resignation as the Party-list MP before registering his candidacy for the local race on Friday.

The Red Shirts and the Party's Northeast clique led by Justice Minister Pracha Promnok both voiced support for Vichian's candidacy.

"With the joint blessing from the red shirts and the Party elders, I have humbly decided to contest the Udon Thani race," Vichian said.

He finalised his decision after consulting with Pheu Thai Party Leader Yongyuth Wichaidit.

He initially wanted to opt for exiting the national politics in order to run the local government, but had to review his stand in the wake of the Pheu Thai defeat in the Pathum Thani PAO race last month.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra reportedly barred Pheu Thai MPs from contesting the local polls.

Vichian said he decided not to heed Thaksin's ban because of two reasons - his ruling party had no alternative candidate and the number of red shirts rallied behind his candidacy.

-- The Nation 2012-05-08

a couple of differences however in the situation between Vichian and Sumet.

Vichian is a Party-list MP so there will be no by-election. The next one down on Pheu Thai Party-list MP roster will get the seat.

Also, former fugitive Vichian is a Red Shirt Leader (out of jail on MP immunity)...and the PAO election is in the solidly Red Shirt territory of Udon Thani...... although so was the district that Sumet ran in and lost huge.

Pheu Thai MP surrenders on terrorism charges

Pheu Thai MP Vichian Khaokham on Thursday surrendered himself to acknowledge his charges related to terrorism triggered by the red-shirt rally from April to May.

After reporting to the Department of Special Investigation, Vichian claimed parliamentary immunity to secure his temporary release.

He cited his hernia surgery as reason to postpone his surrender for more than three months.

-- The Nation 2010-11-18

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Pheu Thai Party MP and Red Shirt Leader Vichian Khaokham (left) being interviewed last March.

Waiting for the PTP supporters to come in and put their spin on it, surely they have a good excuse.

Oh they do. PTP was still suing democrats about food distribution during the flood. The democrats through is back in PTP,s face, knowing who had control.

And the democrat party were suing PTP MP's at the same time. Their cases were also dismissed. What's your point?

dam_n me my wife will be pissed. She voted for free.

Sorry replied to wrong post

a couple of differences however in the situation between Vichian and Sumet.

Vichian is a Party-list MP so there will be no by-election. The next one down on Pheu Thai Party-list MP roster will get the seat.

Also, former fugitive Vichian is a Red Shirt Leader (out of jail on MP immunity)...and the PAO election is in the solidly Red Shirt territory of Udon Thani...... although so was the district that Sumet ran in and lost huge.

If he is out on MP immunity, doesn't that mean on resigning he won't have immunity?

Also, the PTP must be running out of party-list MP's by now with the MPs resigning when they became ministers

a couple of differences however in the situation between Vichian and Sumet.

Vichian is a Party-list MP so there will be no by-election. The next one down on Pheu Thai Party-list MP roster will get the seat.

Also, former fugitive Vichian is a Red Shirt Leader (out of jail on MP immunity)...and the PAO election is in the solidly Red Shirt territory of Udon Thani...... although so was the district that Sumet ran in and lost huge.

If he is out on MP immunity, doesn't that mean on resigning he won't have immunity?

Also, the PTP must be running out of party-list MP's by now with the MPs resigning when they became ministers

I believe he and other Red Shirt Leaders who are MP's have since obtained cash bail.

PTP has a long list of Party-list MP's (125 on the roster).

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2011/05/19/national/Pheu-Thai-party-list-candidates-30155701.html

When Red Shirt Leader Vichian resigns his MP post, they'll slot in the next (I believe they are up to number 68 or so).