Democrats Surprise With Victory In Pheu Thai Stronghold

[webfact]

BANGKOK COUNCIL

Democrats surprise with victory in Pheu Thai stronghold

KORNCHANOK RAKSASERI,

PRAPHAN JINDALERTUDOMDEE,

PRAPASRI OSATHANON

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Victory by the Democrats' Bangkok council candidate Kanoknuch Narksuwannapa over Prawase Wallopbanharn from Pheu Thai was a big surprise, as Constituency 1 has been a strong vote base for Prawase's backer, Karun Hosakul, for a long time.

The Bangkok governor election will be held early next year when the Democrats' MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra's first term ends, and an MP by-election for the constituency would be held soon if the Supreme Court disqualifies Pheu Thai's Karun. His position as an MP has been suspended by the Election Commission. So, many people are trying to work out what this election result reveals.

In Sunday's by-election to fill the seat of Suriya Hosakul, who died in July, the turnout was 44 per cent. Democrat-backed Kanoknuch received 12,858 votes, while Prawase received 10,224 votes. The other candidates received fewer than 1,000 votes.

A key factor behind the result, according to candidate back-ups from both major parties, was work during the flood late last year.

Former Democrat MP candidate Tankhun Jitt-itsara, who helped Kanoknuch in the campaign, said the latter won voters' hearts because she worked hard all along without worrying about being elected.

During the flood period, he and Kanoknuch visited and provided help to victims every single day. They also followed up for rehabilitation for the victims, he said.

Meanwhile, Karun said Pheu Thai Party would study the result to fix what they missed. But he said they must work harder to promote what the party had done for people.

"Although we lost, we reached our goal set in every aspect. We expected a 30-per-cent turnout and we should have got over 10,000 votes. That should have won us the seat. We reached our set goals but the turnout was up to 44 per cent, which was higher than we expected and quite a number of voters went for our opponent's candidate. Personally, I think the fieldwork, the teams and readiness, was very strong and we had it all," he said.

Karun said he believed the loss stemmed from misunderstanding by people about the compensation money paid to flood victims.

A Democrat source, who asked not to be named, said Kanoknuch's victory was a good sign for the party as the constituency had been Pheu Thai's (and its ancestors like Thai Rak Thai Party) for over a decade. And, the characteristic of the area was semi-urban, so voters used to mainly be community residents mobilised by canvassers. With the turnout as high as 44 per cent, it meant new groups of voters had come out to express their will. They included people who live in housing estates or individual homes, which were hard for canvassers to reach and influence.

The turnout of the Bangkok Council election in 2010 had been close to 38 per cent.

The source said although this victory could not compare to the upcoming Bangkok governor's election or the MP by-election to be held soon, the Democrats were very glad because its candidates used to lag far behind in this constituency. Bangkok is vulnerable and complicated in terms of elections, especially when two major political parties are involved. Many people also mix and consider the balance between local and national politics besides considering the candidates themselves.

Though nobody dares to predict the result of the upcoming Bangkok governor's election, or the next Don Muang MP poll, the sign from Kanoknuch's victory and the turnout makes it clear politics in this constituency between the two major parties will be a lot fiercer.

-- The Nation 2012-09-04

[Thait Spot]

One small step for democracy.

One giant leap for womankind

[Buchholz]

The winning Democrat Party candidate Kanoknuch Narksuwannapa

[KireB]

A yes another bright young star within the PT ranks, Karun Hosaukul! To think that the reds took it to the streets to install kids like him makes my stomach work overtime! Glad there might be a change of win in his constituency!

[scotbeve]

100 baht envelopes handed out by dem canvassers will work every time... oh wait that was in a red strong hold upcountry... In BKK it would take 500 ++ baht plus some expensive nosh and "other night activities" for a dem to win in an urban red stronghold...

[asiawatcher]

Here ya go... "Karun said he believed the loss stemmed from misunderstanding by people about the compensation money paid to flood victims."

More like they did not buy votes and lost accordingly.

[Ricardo]

What is there to misunderstand, about flood-compensation payments ?

Either they got them, or they haven't yet.

Either they got the amount, they believe they were promised, or they didn't.

They then voted with their feet, based on their experience !

[philw]

Here ya go... "Karun said he believed the loss stemmed from misunderstanding by people about the compensation money paid to flood victims."

More like they did not buy votes and lost accordingly.

So now "the reds " are guilty of not buying votes...............

Am I missing something re comments like this ???

[trainman34014]

Just a few locals angry about their own particular situation. The big picture concerning the rest of the country remains unaffected !

[GentlemanJim]

So, many people are trying to work out what this election result reveals.

Karun said he believed the loss stemmed from misunderstanding by people about the compensation money paid to flood victims.

Don't the red supporters on TV normally preach that when one side wins by a majority and the other side loses, it is because the losing side are s**t?

[GentlemanJim]

Here ya go... "Karun said he believed the loss stemmed from misunderstanding by people about the compensation money paid to flood victims." More like they did not buy votes and lost accordingly.

So now "the reds " are guilty of not buying votes............... Am I missing something re comments like this ???

Well just in case you are missing something, let me make it more clear for you. When reds don't buy votes, they don't win. Alles Klar?

Just a few locals angry about their own particular situation. The big picture concerning the rest of the country remains unaffected !

How naieve.

[RogueExpat]

So now "the reds " are guilty of not buying votes...............

Am I missing something re comments like this ???

I think you will find that they had, prior to the ballot, "secured" around ten thousand votes, which they thought would be enough to see them accross the line on a 30 - 35% turnout.

Fortunately another 10% of the electorate turned out, and not surprisingly, gave their votes to the Democrat party for at least looking like they cared about the constituents during the floods.

[dickyknee]

Karun said he believed the loss stemmed from misunderstanding by people about the compensation money paid to flood victims.

"those stupid voters, we paid them, obviously they didn't understand what the money was for."

I tend to think the voters understood more than Karun gives them credit for, maybe the misunderstanding lays elsewhere.

[phiphidon]

The winning Democrat Party candidate Kanoknuch Narksuwannapa

Phwoar, she's a looker, where did she get her degree from, can she even speak english, wonder if she's well known at the holiday Inn, what did she do for a job before she got this one, who's her daddy, does she even know where parliament is, doesn't matter 'cos she'll be shopping for handbags as soon as your back's turned.

And all because the PM MP is a woman.......................................

[tlansford]

So, many people are trying to work out what this election result reveals.

Karun said he believed the loss stemmed from misunderstanding by people about the compensation money paid to flood victims.

Don't the red supporters on TV normally preach that when one side wins by a majority and the other side loses, it is because the losing side are s**t?

No, I've never seen it argued in that direction. Generally, on TV it is always biased towards one side being s**t whether they win or they lose. In this case, they lost.

[tlansford]

One small step for democracy.

One giant leap for womankind

"One small step for democracy."

I am wondering if posters would be saying the same if the PTP MP had won?

What do you think?

[GentlemanJim]

One small step for democracy.

One giant leap for womankind

"One small step for democracy."

I am wondering if posters would be saying the same if the PTP MP had won?

What do you think?

But he didn't so we will never know!

[AleG]

One small step for democracy.

One giant leap for womankind

"One small step for democracy."

I am wondering if posters would be saying the same if the PTP MP had won?

What do you think?

Seeing that the other candidate was Karun's man I'd say yes, it is an improvement. Unless you want to argue that Thailand needs more people like Karun in power.

[chotthee]

100 baht envelopes handed out by dem canvassers will work every time... oh wait that was in a red strong hold upcountry... In BKK it would take 500 ++ baht plus some expensive nosh and "other night activities" for a dem to win in an urban red stronghold...

You have proof?

[GentlemanJim]

100 baht envelopes handed out by dem canvassers will work every time... oh wait that was in a red strong hold upcountry... In BKK it would take 500 ++ baht plus some expensive nosh and "other night activities" for a dem to win in an urban red stronghold...

You have proof?

Why? Are you a policeman?

[SomTumTiger]

The winning Democrat Party candidate Kanoknuch Narksuwannapa

Phwoar, she's a looker, where did she get her degree from, can she even speak english, wonder if she's well known at the holiday Inn, what did she do for a job before she got this one, who's her daddy, does she even know where parliament is, doesn't matter 'cos she'll be shopping for handbags as soon as your back's turned.

And all because the PM MP is a woman.......................................

Drinking while you post is guaranteed to screw up punctuation every time.

[RegularReader]

I'll ignore all the cheap shot Johnnies who posted about money changing hands being the reason the voters chose to switch horses in this election. Don Muang is changing a lot - particularly since the Government complex on Chang Wattana opened.

People supported Karun before because he helped them and the area. Often it was little more than turning up at a wedding or funeral. He was always making promises to bring the BTS out here - still not happening - and lots of other goodies were also on offer. However since he bacame a leading light in the Red Shirts, he began to ignore his base in favor of being a big star.

The Dems picked a couple of good young candidates who got to work and got to know the community.

This was particularly evident during the floods. The Dems came up our soi several times handing out supplies and making sure people were okay. Meanwhile Karun was speeding around the district picking fights and pushing people out of the way - such as the guy who ended up in the floodwaters when he sped past on his jet-ski.

Whether this is a one off only time will tell.

But as there will possibly be an election to replace Karun if he loses his current appeal, we mightn't have to wait too long to see if this is more than an accident.

[binjalin]

Here ya go... "Karun said he believed the loss stemmed from misunderstanding by people about the compensation money paid to flood victims."

More like they did not buy votes and lost accordingly.

So now "the reds " are guilty of not buying votes...............

Am I missing something re comments like this ???

now, now we all know only reds buy votes and yellows always win fairly, in accordance with the strictest code of ethics

[Buchholz]

The winning Democrat Party candidate Kanoknuch Narksuwannapa

where did she get her degree from, can she even speak english, wonder if she's well known at the holiday Inn, what did she do for a job before she got this one, who's her daddy, does she even know where parliament is

Try using a search engine to find your answers.

.

[Buchholz]

One small step for democracy.

One giant leap for womankind

"One small step for democracy."

I am wondering if posters would be saying the same if the PTP MP had won?

What do you think?

I would think how typically stupid some Pheu Thai Party MP was for giving up his seat in Parliament to run as a Bangkok Council member.

.

[thaicbr]

Just a few locals angry about their own particular situation. The big picture concerning the rest of the country remains unaffected !

Unless more and more locals are starting to see the big picture.

[robertson468]

The winning Democrat Party candidate Kanoknuch Narksuwannapa

She's got my vote!!!!!!!!

[thaicbr]

One small step for democracy.

One giant leap for womankind

"One small step for democracy."

I am wondering if posters would be saying the same if the PTP MP had won?

What do you think?

No better to ask . What do YOU think.. ANOTHER PTP MP winning is "One small step for democracy." ?

[scotbeve]

100 baht envelopes handed out by dem canvassers will work every time... oh wait that was in a red strong hold upcountry... In BKK it would take 500 ++ baht plus some expensive nosh and "other night activities" for a dem to win in an urban red stronghold...

You have proof?

Why? Are you a policeman?

Chot,

My word over your impertinence. YES, it happened in Mae Ai. There's a dem MP sitting very smug up there as the PTP didn't offer and did not offer in the past seat elections. It took only 100 baht. Can you prove Thaksin paid for PTP's win??? No, I don't think so....Mere speculation.

[Phuket Stan]

The winning Democrat Party candidate Kanoknuch Narksuwannapa

Phwoar, she's a looker, where did she get her degree from, can she even speak english, wonder if she's well known at the holiday Inn, what did she do for a job before she got this one, who's her daddy, does she even know where parliament is, doesn't matter 'cos she'll be shopping for handbags as soon as your back's turned.

And all because the PM MP is a woman.......................................

Although I have given you the benefit of doubt many times alas you have confirmed my thoughts 100%