Democrats Claim Seat In Red-Shirt Heartland

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Democrats claim seat in red-shirt heartland

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

PATHUM THANI: -- The people spoke loud and clear in Sunday's two Pathum Thani elections, but their message may, unfortunately, further complicate the reconciliation process.

Pathum Thani is known as the backyard of the red-shirt movement. So the ruling Pheu Thai Party has to reflect on its shattering defeat both in the local poll as well as the by-election for a House seat in Constituency 5.

The Democrats should also reflect on the victory - whether it means they are gaining on the ruling party or whether it's just an anomaly in the face of last year's botched flood crisis.

Pheu Thai MP Sumeth Riddhagani appears to have miscalculated the loyalty of his constituents when he quit his House seat in order to contest a local race for the position of chairman of the Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO).

The ruling party appeared indifferent to Sumeth's decision and duly nominated Somchai Rangsiwattanasak for the by-election.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and a number of red-shirt leaders, including Jatuporn Promphan, joined Somchai in his campaigning.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and several ranking Democrats helped sway voting for their party's candidate Kiattisak Songsaeng.

Kiattisak's main campaign message was the Pheu Thai Party had treated Pathum Thani voters like dummies. He reminded voters about Sumeth's poor performance in assisting flood victims.

After Sumeth vacated his House seat to seek a cushier job in the provincial administration, the ruling party had the audacity to endorse the candidacy of Somchai, whose sole qualification was being the husband of MP Pormpimol Thammasan from Constituency 3, he said.

The outcome was the Democrat defeated Somchai by a wide margin.

In the PAO race, incumbent chairman Chan Puangpetch won his re-election bid, outpacing Sumeth by more than 100,000 votes.

Although Chan ran as an independent, he is seen as an ally of veteran politician Newin Chidchob. He is also close to the Democrats.

The ruling party and its red allies conceded defeat but pinned the blame on candidates, dismissing speculation that the party's popularity was sagging.

Red-shirt leader Thida Thawornseth said the two candidates were "lazy", and thus failed to connect with constituents, including red shirts.

Pheu Thai leaders lashed out at Sumeth for rushing to contest the PAO race without a green light from the party.

Political commentators saw the outcome as the voters' wrath at the ruling party's mismanagement of last year's flood crisis. Pathum Thani residents had to endure prolonged flooding as government leaders tried to save Bangkok from inundation.

The Democrats, meanwhile, won fair and square. But opposition lawmakers should be mindful that the turnout was low. Only about 30 per cent of voters cast ballots. This implies that the silent majority was disappointed at Pheu Thai but did not want to vote for the main opposition party.

The Pathum Thani elections also coincided with the reconciliation debate. The government has portrayed the Democrats as the bad guys for trying to block moves towards an amnesty. It claimed that the Opposition would suffer a backlash from voters for blocking reconciliation efforts.

But Sunday's voting outcome has proved that prediction wrong. The Democrats seem to have made political traction in a bastion of the red shirts.

The Democrats have insisted on uncovering the truth behind the political disturbances in 2010 and a number of red shirts at the grass-roots level seem to agree although their leaders want to push for a blanket amnesty and a more speedy reconciliation process.

-- The Nation 2012-04-24

[webfact]

AFTERMATH

Pheu Thai shrugs off poll defeat

The Nation

PATHUM THANI: -- The Pheu Thai Party is playing down its defeat to the Democrats in the weekend by-election in Pathum Thani, saying the loss doesn't mean the ruling party's popularity is fading.

Voter turnout was just 35 per cent compared with 75 per cent in the general election, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said. She believed people were weary of having to go to the polls less than a year since the election.

"People have different views for the general election and a by-election. They think of who will be the government for the general election. But for a by-election, they might also look at the details and factors in the area. Anyway, the party accepts the election results and will use the information for improvement," she said.

Yingluck did not answer reporters' question if the results were an indication of anything.

The by-election on Saturday took place to fill in the seat of Pheu Thai MP Sumeth Ritthakanee, who resigned to run for the post of Provincial Administrative Organisation chairman on Sunday.

Pheu Thai lost both ballots. Democrat Party candidate Kiatisak Songsang won the MP seat.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the party's candidate lost by only 3,000 votes, and might have won if the turnout had reached 50 per cent.

Another factor was that the election was on Saturday. Pheu Thai's base supporters were either labourers or employees of private companies but they worked on Saturdays.

"People might ask why the MP resigned after eight months of being an MP and why they must go to vote again. We understand their feelings. They might think the by-election wasn't so important as Pheu Thai has enough MPs in Parliament and that it would still be all right if they did not come to vote," Prompong said.

Pathum Thani residents were still angry at the government over last year's flood, he said.

Prompong said a Pheu Thai Party meeting resolved yesterday to prohibit its MPs from resigning to run for local administration offices. It would not field Sumeth in other MP elections.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said that despite the defeat he was confident that Pheu Thai would win in the MP by-election in Chiang Mai and in the next general election, especially in the North and the Northeast.

Pheu Thai MP for Chiang Mai Chinnicha Wongsawat was disqualified last week for filing a false assets report.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday hailed the victory as proof his party is more popular in Pathum Thani. He said Kiatisak frequently visited residents there even though he lost the election earlier. Kiatisak also helped out during the flood, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-04-24

[Moruya]

Nothihng to do with broken promises or inept governance of course.........

[Buchholz]

Yingluck did not answer reporters' question

Standard Operating Procedure

.

[OzMick]

Yingluck did not answer reporters' question

Standard Operating Procedure

.

Yesterday you posted an article about an MP who lost his seat for not meeting the residency conditions (sorry, couldn't find it!) How does the PTP candidate for Constituency 5 qualify if his wife is the member for 3?

[moe666]

Between PTP MPs being kicked out of office and others trying to win a different post they will lose there majority.

[Buchholz]

Yingluck did not answer reporters' question

Standard Operating Procedure

.

Yesterday you posted an article about an MP who lost his seat for not meeting the residency conditions (sorry, couldn't find it!) How does the PTP candidate for Constituency 5 qualify if his wife is the member for 3?

Interesting point. Electoral law says a candidate must be a resident for a minimum of five years in a given constituency to be eligible to contest elections to Parliament.

Have the couple maintained separate residences for that long?

Perhaps the PTP has simply forgotten about their MP that was disqualified for failing that law.

Afterall, it was all of 5 weeks ago.

the link to yesterday's post:

[phiphidon]

"Kiattisak's main campaign message was the Pheu Thai Party had treated Pathum Thani voters like dummies. He reminded voters about Sumeth's poor performance in assisting flood victims".

Did he tell the voters what he was going to do that was different - or just rely on negativity? Any democrat supporters on the forum like to tell me what his platform was or is that it - rely on knee jerk voting. I shall not be reading to much into this.

Edited April 24, 2012 by phiphidon

[Bagwan]

Well Pathum Thani can say goodbye to any Government investment for a year or three.

[daninthai]

"But opposition lawmakers should be mindful that the turnout was low. Only about 30 per cent of voters cast ballots.This implies that the silent majority was disappointed at Pheu Thai but did not want to vote for the main opposition party."

Really? It could imply a lot of things. Maybe people don't care too much about politics around Songkran.

[bigbamboo]

Chalerm could be on a winner saying PTP will retain the seat in CM forfeited by yet another Wongsawat MP to be thrown out of the game for cheating. Is that a record for one family?

Apparently Chinnicha was supposed to be the one with the brains (sic!) so PTP have been forced to look outside the family for the new candidate. Whoever it is should be a shoo-in.

But that's what they thought about the recent by-election.

[webfact]

PM Mum on Thaksin's Stand on Poll Defeats

BANGKOK: -- The prime minister is silent on ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Skype session in which he urged the Pheu Thai Party member who has lost two elections in a row to quit.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinwatra dodged reporters' question on the Skype session in which her brother and former prime minister Thaksin urged Sub-lieutenant Sumet Rittakhani to quit the Pheu Thai Party after losing in both the by-election for Constituency 5 MP and the election for the head of provincial administration organization in Pathum Thani Province.

Yingluck said she will leave the matter for the party's executive board to decide.

She added she will help the party's candidate in the by-election campaign for Constituency 3 in Chiang Mai if time permits.

The prime minister insisted that governing the nation and addressing people's problems remain her top priority.

Previously, Pheu Thai Deputy Spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap denied that Thaksin made a Skype call to the party.

However, there were reports of the ex-premier telling his close aide on the phone not to panic over the election results.

Thaksin reportedly said Pathum Thani people are displeased with Sumet personally, not with the party.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-24

[whybother]

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinwatra dodged reporters' question

Again!!

[h90]

"But opposition lawmakers should be mindful that the turnout was low. Only about 30 per cent of voters cast ballots.This implies that the silent majority was disappointed at Pheu Thai but did not want to vote for the main opposition party."

Really? It could imply a lot of things. Maybe people don't care too much about politics around Songkran.

It is an old saying "money not come, legs not walk" or something similar. Even PTP supporter don't vote without money.

They don't see any reason in wasting their time with voting. Which might not be as silly as it seems because in fact no party really cares about them.

[bigbamboo]

"But opposition lawmakers should be mindful that the turnout was low. Only about 30 per cent of voters cast ballots.This implies that the silent majority was disappointed at Pheu Thai but did not want to vote for the main opposition party."

Really? It could imply a lot of things. Maybe people don't care too much about politics around Songkran.

It implies that 70 per cent of the electorate don't think their politicians are worth voting for and only around ten per cent thought it was worth the effort to vote for the PTP government.

One in ten? In a percieved red shirt stronghold that must be a big worry for BB and the Burberry Kid.

[Buchholz]

The prime minister is silent

Standard Operating Procedure

[Skywalker69]

Well Pathum Thani can say goodbye to any Government investment for a year or three.

Do you think the PTP vill govern in three years time?

[GentlemanJim]

"Kiattisak's main campaign message was the Pheu Thai Party had treated Pathum Thani voters like dummies. He reminded voters about Sumeth's poor performance in assisting flood victims".

Did he tell the voters what he was going to do that was different - or just rely on negativity? Any democrat supporters on the forum like to tell me what his platform was or is that it - rely on knee jerk voting. I shall not be reading to much into this.

What a ridiculous comment. Of course politicians rely on making negative statements of their opponents. Do you think Romney and Obama will say of each other how brilliant they are or will they rip each other apart by discussing all the negative aspects of the other and their party politics. Jeeez! By the sounds of it the Dem probably didn't need to say anything to get elected, the locals are that upset with PTP.

[waza]

Is it me or is there a scent in the air a mild whiff of party decay. The cry of Demcracy now is gone, replace by a whisper of, where are the promises? The glitter is gone, the romance has died all that is left is the stained and torn party dress and the tear streaked mascara. Thaksin didnt even buy the reds dinner before he screwed them, what a hero. All the while Yingluck stands by a watches, the silent wittess to the rape of her party.

Edited April 24, 2012 by waza

[h90]

Is it me or is there a scent in the air a mild whiff of party decay. The cry of Demcracy now is gone, replace by a whisper of, where are the promises? The glitter is gone, the romance has died all that is left is the stained and torn party dress and the tear streaked mascara. Thaksin didnt even buy the reds dinner before he screwed them, what a hero. All the while Yingluck stands by a watches, the silent wittess to the rape of her party.

yes but before the next big election he puts money in again. And he'll have more than ever.

[OzMick]

"Thaksin urged Sub-lieutenant Sumet Rittakhani to quit the Pheu Thai Party"

Self ambition is not required. ALL ambition should be for the Dear Leader. They'll probably execute the PTP candidate if he loses in CM - well maybe just suggest he hangs himself.

[hellodolly]

Is it me or is there a scent in the air a mild whiff of party decay. The cry of Demcracy now is gone, replace by a whisper of, where are the promises? The glitter is gone, the romance has died all that is left is the stained and torn party dress and the tear streaked mascara. Thaksin didnt even buy the reds dinner before he screwed them, what a hero. All the while Yingluck stands by a watches, the silent wittess to the rape of her party.

But she had a nice smile.

[waza]

Is it me or is there a scent in the air a mild whiff of party decay. The cry of Demcracy now is gone, replace by a whisper of, where are the promises? The glitter is gone, the romance has died all that is left is the stained and torn party dress and the tear streaked mascara. Thaksin didnt even buy the reds dinner before he screwed them, what a hero. All the while Yingluck stands by a watches, the silent wittess to the rape of her party.

yes but before the next big election he puts money in again. And he'll have more than ever.

Despite the suitcases of cash and gold crossing the Cambodian border into Thaksins private jet, he doesnt have the financial resorces he once had. A combination of confiscated assets,the massive funding of the bangkok riots, rip offs, the GFC and poor investment choices have had a dramatic negative impact on his personal wealth. Evidence the lack of personal financing he made towards his supporters at his recent rallies in Loas and Cambodia, this combined with the general disapiontment with the PTP lead to the very disapiontingly low turnout.

Edited April 24, 2012 by waza

[phiphidon]

"Kiattisak's main campaign message was the Pheu Thai Party had treated Pathum Thani voters like dummies. He reminded voters about Sumeth's poor performance in assisting flood victims".

Did he tell the voters what he was going to do that was different - or just rely on negativity? Any democrat supporters on the forum like to tell me what his platform was or is that it - rely on knee jerk voting. I shall not be reading to much into this.

What a ridiculous comment. Of course politicians rely on making negative statements of their opponents. Do you think Romney and Obama will say of each other how brilliant they are or will they rip each other apart by discussing all the negative aspects of the other and their party politics. Jeeez! By the sounds of it the Dem probably didn't need to say anything to get elected, the locals are that upset with PTP.

Thank you for your thoughts. I hope you don't mind if I ignore your comment and ask again. What will the new incumbent do for the people who voted for him. Has he just been voted in for saying that the previous MP was rubbish or did he expound upon what the democrat party is going to do for them? If so what is their platform? Seems to me a simple question.

[geriatrickid]

"But opposition lawmakers should be mindful that the turnout was low. Only about 30 per cent of voters cast ballots.This implies that the silent majority was disappointed at Pheu Thai but did not want to vote for the main opposition party."

Really? It could imply a lot of things. Maybe people don't care too much about politics around Songkran.

And that incumbent governments rarely win midterm byelections.

[waza]

"But opposition lawmakers should be mindful that the turnout was low. Only about 30 per cent of voters cast ballots.This implies that the silent majority was disappointed at Pheu Thai but did not want to vote for the main opposition party."

Really? It could imply a lot of things. Maybe people don't care too much about politics around Songkran.

And that incumbent governments rarely win midterm byelections.

Midterm?? 9 months of PTP is hardly midterm, it should be still the honeymoon period.

[h90]

"But opposition lawmakers should be mindful that the turnout was low. Only about 30 per cent of voters cast ballots.This implies that the silent majority was disappointed at Pheu Thai but did not want to vote for the main opposition party."

Really? It could imply a lot of things. Maybe people don't care too much about politics around Songkran.

And that incumbent governments rarely win midterm byelections.

Midterm?? 9 months of PTP is hardly midterm, it should be still the honeymoon period.

I think it is midterm...who wants to see 2 years PTP?

[SomTumTiger]

I'm sure this is actually a secret indication of PTP's popularity, Right GK? Phi? MCA? 5555

[phiphidon]

I'm sure this is actually a secret indication of PTP's popularity, Right GK? Phi? MCA? 5555

Well, I suppose if your political party hasn't won an election in 20 years it's kind of exciting to win a by election by 3000 votes with a 30% turnout, yes.

[Skywalker69]

"But opposition lawmakers should be mindful that the turnout was low. Only about 30 per cent of voters cast ballots.This implies that the silent majority was disappointed at Pheu Thai but did not want to vote for the main opposition party."

Really? It could imply a lot of things. Maybe people don't care too much about politics around Songkran.

And that incumbent governments rarely win midterm byelections.

Midterm?? 9 months of PTP is hardly midterm, it should be still the honeymoon period.

A honeymoon that´s begin to go sour.