Pheu Thai Candidate Pongsapat Leaps Ahead: Bangkok Poll

[webfact]

Pongsapat leaps ahead

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen has leapt further ahead of his Democrat rival in the latest approval ratings, according to two major pollsters.

Of those polled by Suan Dusit, 42.59 per cent chose Pongsapat, 34.31 per cent Sukhumbhand, 6.38 per cent Sereepisuth Temeeyaves and 0.77 per cent Suharit Siamwalla.

Abac Poll said 42 per cent of its respondents backed Pong-sapat, while 33.5 per cent chose Sukhumbhand and 8.6 per cent Sereepisuth.

newsjs

Suan Dusit's survey was carried out among 3,410 voters in all 50 Bangkok districts, from Saturday to Wednesday.

Abac Poll questioned 2,518 voters, between January 31 and Wednesday, and had an accuracy margin of plus/minus 7 per cent, said Abac Poll director Noppadol Kannikar.

Suan Dusit's poll suggests Pongsapat has stretched his lead slightly, after its earlier survey (January 26 to 30) showed him enjoying an approval rating of 41 per cent to Sukhumbhand's 36.12 per cent.

Suan Dusit's latest poll found that Pongsapat's traffic policy was the most popular, favoured by 22.25 per cent of respondents. The second most favoured was his anti-drug trafficking policy, with 22.01 per cent. Sukhum-bhand's anti-flood policy was third with 21.29 per cent.

But 58.72 per cent of respondents cited Pongsapat's policy on traffic as the most difficult to implement, followed by the anti-flooding policy of Sukhumbhand, with 17.44 per cent.

In Abac Poll's survey, 63.5 per cent of respondents said they would vote, while the remaining 36.5 per cent said they would not.

-- The Nation 2013-02-08

[webfact]

BANGKOK POLL TRACKER

Pongsapat vows fire measures

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen yesterday pledged to increase the number of fire hydrants and set up community fire stations in the capital.

After campaigning in the Bangkok Yai area, Pongsapat said he found that there was only one volunteer fire station in front of Sangkhajai Temple - and its equipment was defective.

A small fire station should be built in front of each community and fire hydrants should be installed in all communities, he said. To serve neighbourhoods with narrow lanes, more small fire engines and motorised tricycles and motorbikes with fire-fighting equipment would be procured, and the time for firemen to reach the scene of a blaze in communities must be cut by at least half, he said.

The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority would be asked to install the fire hydrants, while the Metropolitan Electricity Authority would be tasked with inspecting the condition of the homes of low-income people in communities because they cannot afford to rewire them, he added.

Sukhumbhand offers a greener capital

Democrat candidate MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra promised yesterday to increase green areas in shopping zones and to conserve the historic Plu Market area.

More trees would be planted in open and public areas to add greenery to the Siam Square, Ratchaprasong and Ploenchit commercial districts. The green spots would be connected by paths with trees growing besides them. The areas might also get bicycle lanes.

The private sector in Silom and Sathorn would be asked to grow trees on their roofs.

The Plu Market area would be developed without demolishing old buildings. Water features such as pedestrian paths besides the canal, piers for temples and floating gardens would be added.

The main Talad Plu Market would also be renovated and promoted as a night market to draw tourists to observe the traditional lifestyles of the people, he added.

Suan Dusit accused of misleading voters

Independent candidate Sereepisuth Temeeyaves yesterday filed an election complaint accusing Suan Dusit Poll of attempting to influence voters by providing false information.

Praphan Khoonmee represented Sereepisuth in lodging the complaint with the Bangkok Election Committee's chairman, Thaweesak Tuchinda.

In the complaint, Praphan alleged that Suan Dusit Poll erroneously stated in its February 2 survey that 13.93 per cent of Bangkok voters were undecided while other polls found that the percentage of undecided voters was still 48-50 per cent.

Suan Dusit Poll also used questionnaires that were designed to project a popular rating for a certain governor candidate, he added.

-- The Nation 2013-02-08

[jonclark]

"The private sector in Silom and Sathorn would be asked to grow trees on their roofs"

Wow - of all the problems Bangkok has i didn't realize tree-less roof tops was one. Get a grip man, traffic, drugs, streets (both pavements and roads) in disrepair and a total disgrace for any 21st century capital city , shambolic electrical and telephone wiring throughout, fetid, polluted canals and waterways.

Surely you can think of a better policy given that backdrop other than grow trees on a roof - duh!!

[hellodolly]

"Abac Poll questioned 2,518 voters, between January 31 and Wednesday, and had an accuracy margin of plus/minus 7 per cent, said Abac Poll director Noppadol Kannikar."

Well there is only a 14% chance of it being wrong. I am surprised they even gave those figures. What reputable poll would be that far out.

When is the election.

[geriatrickid]

"The private sector in Silom and Sathorn would be asked to grow trees on their roofs"

Wow - of all the problems Bangkok has i didn't realize tree-less roof tops was one. Get a grip man, traffic, drugs, streets (both pavements and roads) in disrepair and a total disgrace for any 21st century capital city , shambolic electrical and telephone wiring throughout, fetid, polluted canals and waterways.

Surely you can think of a better policy given that backdrop other than grow trees on a roof - duh!!

Actually, it is a strategy that has been recommended for years and is an important part of addressing the high energy demands of Bangkok, security of Bangkok and the ambient air pollution. Here's why and I am sourcing from the Chicago architectural digest;

Green roofs can yield locally grown food and reduce air-conditioning needs. And green roofs can help cities reduce the amount of water that spills into overloaded sewers during rainstorms. Thanks to such benefits, rooftop gardens have been sprouting across North America in recent years. In 2011, the installation of green-roof square footage in North America doubled to just over 16 million square feet, the industry group reports. Chicago is in the forefront of the movement thanks to strong backing from former Mayor Richard M. Daley. Chicago boasts more than 3.5 million square feet of green roofs, including a showcase roof on City Hall

I know it's hard to believe, but a green roof reduces the temperature of a building and its surrounding area. The benefits are obvious. This low cost initiative can bring immediate benefits to the lives of Bangkok residents. Sorry, but the implementation of such a program would deliver significantly greater benefits than more black asphalt. Green roof programs are associated with advanced and progessive city planning. In this case, your criticism is really out of touch with advances in urban living improvement.

[Buchholz]

In a separate poll involving 250,000 registered voters in Bangkok and all provinces revealed that 98.7% of those polled felt that the most anticipated event that they looked forward to the most regarding the Bangkok Governor race is to occur on February 24th.

Election Commission bans releasing poll results 7 days before election

BANGKOK, (NNT) - The Election Commission (EC), Bangkok Office, is banning the release of opinion polls during the seven days leading up to the March 3 gubernatorial election.

http://61.19.244.31/...OL5602040010006

[jonclark]

"The private sector in Silom and Sathorn would be asked to grow trees on their roofs"

Wow - of all the problems Bangkok has i didn't realize tree-less roof tops was one. Get a grip man, traffic, drugs, streets (both pavements and roads) in disrepair and a total disgrace for any 21st century capital city , shambolic electrical and telephone wiring throughout, fetid, polluted canals and waterways.

Surely you can think of a better policy given that backdrop other than grow trees on a roof - duh!!

Actually, it is a strategy that has been recommended for years and is an important part of addressing the high energy demands of Bangkok, security of Bangkok and the ambient air pollution. Here's why and I am sourcing from the Chicago architectural digest;

Green roofs can yield locally grown food and reduce air-conditioning needs. And green roofs can help cities reduce the amount of water that spills into overloaded sewers during rainstorms. Thanks to such benefits, rooftop gardens have been sprouting across North America in recent years. In 2011, the installation of green-roof square footage in North America doubled to just over 16 million square feet, the industry group reports. Chicago is in the forefront of the movement thanks to strong backing from former Mayor Richard M. Daley. Chicago boasts more than 3.5 million square feet of green roofs, including a showcase roof on City Hall

I know it's hard to believe, but a green roof reduces the temperature of a building and its surrounding area. The benefits are obvious. This low cost initiative can bring immediate benefits to the lives of Bangkok residents. Sorry, but the implementation of such a program would deliver significantly greater benefits than more black asphalt. Green roof programs are associated with advanced and progessive city planning. In this case, your criticism is really out of touch with advances in urban living improvement.

And you think that Bangkok has advanced and progressive city planning - Before it can even think about the effect of green roofs (of tree planting as the governor calls it) there are more urgent and pressing needs that your average Bangkokian wants addressing - see my first post.

Get them sorted and in a few years we'll take about progressive planning and the energy saving that can be made by growing rice on the roof of Citibank in Sathorn

Because lets be honest here, if you've got 50'000 cars sat in traffic every morning noon and night, engines idle chugging away using fuel (energy), then planting trees on roofs isn't going to offset (other than a very, very marginal amount) the amount of energy being waste in the streets below is it?

The point i was trying to make was basically this - Who is this policy meant to appeal to? given the bigger problems our fair city faces.

[webfact]

Poll: Pongsapat favored by apartment residents, Sukhumbhand by townhouse dwellers

BANGKOK, 8 February 2013 (NNT) -- Director of ABAC Poll Research Center Noppadol Kannika reveals that Puea Thai party's Bangkok Governor hopeful Pongsapat Pongcharoen is most popular among residents of apartments, detached houses and slums, while incumbent candidate Sukhumbhand Paribatra draws as much popularity as Mr Pongsapat among residents of townhouses.

The survey by ABAC Poll indicates that 43 percent of residents of apartments and condomeniums favor Mr Pongsapat, in comparison to 32.3 percent who favor Mr Sukhumband.

Similarly, residents of detached houses and slums prefer Mr Pongsapat to Mr Sukhumbhand as Bangkok Governor, according to the survey. About 40 percent of residents of detached houses and 43 percent of slum dwellers said they would vote for Mr Pongsapat. This is in contrast to 32 percent of detached house residents and 31 percent of inner-city residents who said they would vote for Mr Sukhumbhand.

However, Mr Sukhumbhand and Mr Pongsapat draw equal popularity among townhouse residents. The survey shows that 40.1 percent of townhouse residents favor Mr Sukhumbhand, while 39.9 percent go for Mr Pongsapat.

Independent candidate Sereepisuth comes third in all categories. He is the favorite among 13 percent of apartment dwellers, 11 percent of townhouse residents, 10 percent of residents of detached houses, and 6 percent among slum residents.

-- NNT 2013-02-08

[tominbkk]

The two should have a naked oil wrestling contest to see who is the winner.

[backtonormal]

Just a message for those in denial on here. Thailand is run by a corrupt mafia family whos head is a dangerous wanted criminal who is responsible for thousands of dead citizens. The whole system is corrupt to the core, they are trousering billions from this scheme and that scheme. They only got to power because of paying voters.

But guess what, after over 18 months in power the educated masses of Bangkok, the so called middle classes, are going to return their candidate to the office of Bangkok Governer. So what do you think the Dems should do next as the PTT have cornered all voting sectors. LMFAO

[Payboy]

The two should have a naked oil wrestling contest to see who is the winner.

Not sure I'd want to watch that, even though it may be better than the TV soaps.

[ratcatcher]

"The private sector in Silom and Sathorn would be asked to grow trees on their roofs"

Wow - of all the problems Bangkok has i didn't realize tree-less roof tops was one. Get a grip man, traffic, drugs, streets (both pavements and roads) in disrepair and a total disgrace for any 21st century capital city , shambolic electrical and telephone wiring throughout, fetid, polluted canals and waterways.

Surely you can think of a better policy given that backdrop other than grow trees on a roof - duh!!

Actually, it is a strategy that has been recommended for years and is an important part of addressing the high energy demands of Bangkok, security of Bangkok and the ambient air pollution. Here's why and I am sourcing from the Chicago architectural digest;

Green roofs can yield locally grown food and reduce air-conditioning needs. And green roofs can help cities reduce the amount of water that spills into overloaded sewers during rainstorms. Thanks to such benefits, rooftop gardens have been sprouting across North America in recent years. In 2011, the installation of green-roof square footage in North America doubled to just over 16 million square feet, the industry group reports. Chicago is in the forefront of the movement thanks to strong backing from former Mayor Richard M. Daley. Chicago boasts more than 3.5 million square feet of green roofs, including a showcase roof on City Hall

I know it's hard to believe, but a green roof reduces the temperature of a building and its surrounding area. The benefits are obvious. This low cost initiative can bring immediate benefits to the lives of Bangkok residents. Sorry, but the implementation of such a program would deliver significantly greater benefits than more black asphalt. Green roof programs are associated with advanced and progessive city planning. In this case, your criticism is really out of touch with advances in urban living improvement.

And you think that Bangkok has advanced and progressive city planning - Before it can even think about the effect of green roofs (of tree planting as the governor calls it) there are more urgent and pressing needs that your average Bangkokian wants addressing - see my first post.

Get them sorted and in a few years we'll take about progressive planning and the energy saving that can be made by growing rice on the roof of Citibank in Sathorn

Because lets be honest here, if you've got 50'000 cars sat in traffic every morning noon and night, engines idle chugging away using fuel (energy), then planting trees on roofs isn't going to offset (other than a very, very marginal amount) the amount of energy being waste in the streets below is it?

The point i was trying to make was basically this - Who is this policy meant to appeal to? given the bigger problems our fair city faces.

IMHO it's all about PRIORITIES and as jonclark correctly points out, these are:traffic, drugs, streets (both pavements and roads) in disrepair and a total disgrace for any 21st century capital city , shambolic electrical and telephone wiring throughout, fetid, polluted canals and waterways.

Planting gardens and trees on rooftops should be up to private property owners and is, in its own right, a good idea. However, the citizens of Bangkok (this City of Angels) deserve more than the hell-hole parts of it are turning into.

Anyone falling into a Bangkok klong has a 90% chance of a visit to the morgue.

Building pretty public conveniences at 'every bus stop' is just one of dozens of airy fairy suggestions made by one of the candidates. That sort of thing could be done by private companies using advertising and maintaining them in a clean condition.

Perhaps another case of populist policies poorly researched. There's no free lunch I am told.

Someone somewhere always gets the bill.

[rixalex]

Just a message for those in denial on here. Thailand is run by a corrupt mafia family whos head is a dangerous wanted criminal who is responsible for thousands of dead citizens. The whole system is corrupt to the core, they are trousering billions from this scheme and that scheme. They only got to power because of paying voters.

But guess what, after over 18 months in power the educated masses of Bangkok, the so called middle classes, are going to return their candidate to the office of Bangkok Governer. So what do you think the Dems should do next as the PTT have cornered all voting sectors. LMFAO

So called middle classes.? Yes, so called by people like you from the red camp, always quick to label sweepingly in this fashion all the people of Bangkok who didn't vote PTP, and used by way of an insult: educated middle classes = uncaring, out of touch, evil, yellow shirt people. If these uncaring, out of touch, evil, yellow shirt people do vote for Pongsapat, as you clearly hope and expect, i suspect there will be a sudden change of tone towards them. And the shift from dismissing their vote as unrepresentative and uncaring, to holding it up as evidence of how wonderful PTP are, will be swift and seamless.

[geriatrickid]

So called middle classes.? Yes, so called by people like you from the red camp, always quick to label sweepingly in this fashion all the people of Bangkok who didn't vote PTP, and used by way of an insult: educated middle classes = uncaring, out of touch, evil, yellow shirt people. If these uncaring, out of touch, evil, yellow shirt people do vote for Pongsapat, as you clearly hope and expect, i suspect there will be a sudden change of tone towards them. And the shift from dismissing their vote as unrepresentative and uncaring, to holding it up as evidence of how wonderful PTP are, will be swift and seamless.

Or, perhaps, Bangkok residents have warmed up to the PTP and agree with the policies presented by their candidate?

Sometimes people do see the light. It took Saul of Tarsus the brutal Pharisee zealot to have his epiphany on the Damascene Road.

I draw your attention to Acts 9 (KJV). As Saul was transformed into Peter the apostle, all the years ago in the bleak city of Damascus, so too may the residents of Bangkok be having their very own epiphanies. Perhaps they have seen the light, the way forward and are slowly but surely coming to be one with the party that shall deliver Thailand from bondage. Just as Moses led the Israelites across the desert back to their home from which they were taken to be slaves in Egypt, so too is the PTP leading the people of Thailand.

Or they might just be like moths drawn to a light bulb, doomed to fly about disoriented until they dehydrate and wither.

I don't know and I don't care because as my professor of animal behaviour used to say, sometimes the simplest explanation is the most appropriate. In which case, I'd say that the surveys do not take into account the actual people that are both legally allowed to vote and that will indeed go and vote and, that the policies of the candidate are popular with the respondents in the poll. The day after the election, Bangkok will still be a depressing, filthy, polluted mess of a city filled with pasty stressed out people. I'd much rather hang out in Hua Hin, the place where Thais of good standing go.No slums in Hua Hin and no touts offering deviant dvds. There is even a Sizzler. Seriously, how much better can it get than a Sizzler!!!

[15Peter20]

The two should have a naked oil wrestling contest to see who is the winner.

Oh don't be so ridiculous. A pop quiz would be much fairer.

[Buchholz]

While Moses wore a Red Tunic, he wasn't a Red Shirt

Similarly, it requires the same level of naivety to believes PTP will somehow deliver Thailand from bondage as it to believe a man factually parted a sea upon command.

However, Sizzler is, agreeably, a worthwhile addition to a neighborhood.

.

[Locationthailand]

Oh c'mon... another PTP polster politician in the pig trough? Last one out put the chairs on the table and turn off the lights!

[kotsak]

So called middle classes.? Yes, so called by people like you from the red camp, always quick to label sweepingly in this fashion all the people of Bangkok who didn't vote PTP, and used by way of an insult: educated middle classes = uncaring, out of touch, evil, yellow shirt people. If these uncaring, out of touch, evil, yellow shirt people do vote for Pongsapat, as you clearly hope and expect, i suspect there will be a sudden change of tone towards them. And the shift from dismissing their vote as unrepresentative and uncaring, to holding it up as evidence of how wonderful PTP are, will be swift and seamless.

Or, perhaps, Bangkok residents have warmed up to the PTP and agree with the policies presented by their candidate?

Sometimes people do see the light. It took Saul of Tarsus the brutal Pharisee zealot to have his epiphany on the Damascene Road.

I draw your attention to Acts 9 (KJV). As Saul was transformed into Peter the apostle, all the years ago in the bleak city of Damascus, so too may the residents of Bangkok be having their very own epiphanies. Perhaps they have seen the light, the way forward and are slowly but surely coming to be one with the party that shall deliver Thailand from bondage. Just as Moses led the Israelites across the desert back to their home from which they were taken to be slaves in Egypt, so too is the PTP leading the people of Thailand.

Or they might just be like moths drawn to a light bulb, doomed to fly about disoriented until they dehydrate and wither.

I don't know and I don't care because as my professor of animal behaviour used to say, sometimes the simplest explanation is the most appropriate. In which case, I'd say that the surveys do not take into account the actual people that are both legally allowed to vote and that will indeed go and vote and, that the policies of the candidate are popular with the respondents in the poll. The day after the election, Bangkok will still be a depressing, filthy, polluted mess of a city filled with pasty stressed out people. I'd much rather hang out in Hua Hin, the place where Thais of good standing go.No slums in Hua Hin and no touts offering deviant dvds. There is even a Sizzler. Seriously, how much better can it get than a Sizzler!!!

Off topic but it's Paul not Peter

[rubl]

It's seems our Pheu Thai candidate for the Bangkok Governor position, Pol. General Pongsapat is the victim of a new complot by evil people. Just having recovered from having to deny having been involved with USA Police Forces a long time ago, there's this chairmanship in a committee to set-up the terms of reference for "construction of new police stations and police flats" project. A project marred with delay and possible corruption which may (also) involve Pol. General Priewphan. All allegedly, of course.

Obviously Bangkok people should be proud to be able to confirm Pol. Generals in their continued serving of those worthy of being served. Allegedly that is.

[bigbamboo]

"The private sector in Silom and Sathorn would be asked to grow trees on their roofs"

Wow - of all the problems Bangkok has i didn't realize tree-less roof tops was one. Get a grip man, traffic, drugs, streets (both pavements and roads) in disrepair and a total disgrace for any 21st century capital city , shambolic electrical and telephone wiring throughout, fetid, polluted canals and waterways.

Surely you can think of a better policy given that backdrop other than grow trees on a roof - duh!!

Actually, it is a strategy that has been recommended for years and is an important part of addressing the high energy demands of Bangkok, security of Bangkok and the ambient air pollution. Here's why and I am sourcing from the Chicago architectural digest;

Green roofs can yield locally grown food and reduce air-conditioning needs. And green roofs can help cities reduce the amount of water that spills into overloaded sewers during rainstorms. Thanks to such benefits, rooftop gardens have been sprouting across North America in recent years. In 2011, the installation of green-roof square footage in North America doubled to just over 16 million square feet, the industry group reports. Chicago is in the forefront of the movement thanks to strong backing from former Mayor Richard M. Daley. Chicago boasts more than 3.5 million square feet of green roofs, including a showcase roof on City Hall

I know it's hard to believe, but a green roof reduces the temperature of a building and its surrounding area. The benefits are obvious. This low cost initiative can bring immediate benefits to the lives of Bangkok residents. Sorry, but the implementation of such a program would deliver significantly greater benefits than more black asphalt. Green roof programs are associated with advanced and progessive city planning. In this case, your criticism is really out of touch with advances in urban living improvement.

They could just grow grass on the roof.

[rubl]

*** NEWSFLACHEEK *** NEWSFLACHEEK ***

Bangkok Police Generals have announced that alcohol sales will not be prohibited during the 3rd of March Election of their fellow Pol. General Pongsapat.

[billd766]

After campaigning in the Bangkok Yai area, Pongsapat said he found that there was only one volunteer fire station in front of Sangkhajai Temple - and its equipment was defective.

A small fire station should be built in front of each community and fire hydrants should be installed in all communities, he said. To serve neighbourhoods with narrow lanes, more small fire engines and motorised tricycles and motorbikes with fire-fighting equipment would be procured, and the time for firemen to reach the scene of a blaze in communities must be cut by at least half, he said.

I remember that Samak who was a proxy of Thaksin (his words) was Governer of Bangkok he cost Bangkok a vast fortune in fire engines etc and left the incoming Democrat Governor to sign off the bill whilst he was away on his toes.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/24/headlines/headlines_30027776.php

[NCFC]

It's quite normal that Governments have mid-term falls in poularity which would negatively affect the chances of Pongsapat. Additionally, Sukhumbhand has the advantage of being the incumbent. He can point to his record of acheivments over the past four years in order to win voter support, something which none of the other candidates can do.

Now Bangkok has tradionally been a Democrat stronghold, both in National and Gubanatorial elections. So all the factors should point to a Democrat victory and yet we see that the middle class voters of Bangkok are rejecting the Demcocrats in order to support PTP - very little support going to independant candidates which is where you'd expect to see the protest vote go.

So PTP now gaining support from the middle classes and well as the rural poor. Interesting. As a guess I'd say it is due to the popularity of Yingluck and her ability to restore peace to the country.

[rixalex]

So all the factors should point to a Democrat victory and yet we see that the middle class voters of Bangkok are rejecting the Demcocrats in order to support PTP - very little support going to independant candidates which is where you'd expect to see the protest vote go.

Did i fall asleep and miss the election or something?

[rixalex]

So PTP now gaining support from the middle classes and well as the rural poor. Interesting. As a guess I'd say it is due to the popularity of Yingluck and her ability to restore peace to the country.

As far as restoration of peace goes, the reds and the PTP have an advantage over others in terms of being able to restore it, in that they have been the ones for the most part preventing it.

When the trouble makers don't happen to be themselves, like in the south, Yingluck's true "peace-making skills" are shown for what they are.

[NCFC]

So PTP now gaining support from the middle classes and well as the rural poor. Interesting. As a guess I'd say it is due to the popularity of Yingluck and her ability to restore peace to the country.

As far as restoration of peace goes, the reds and the PTP have an advantage over others in terms of being able to restore it, in that they have been the ones for the most part preventing it.

When the trouble makers don't happen to be themselves, like in the south, Yingluck's true "peace-making skills" are shown for what they are.

The rumours of military coups seem like distant chatter these days. Pitak Siam made to look like the fools they are. The economy doing really well. A job for everyone who wants one. I think these are the issues on the minds of middle-class Bangkokians and they know it is Yingluck and the PTP who are delivering. The advantages should all lie with the Democrats in this election but when it comes to elections the voters reject them time and again. Now even the educated, middle-classes are turning against the Democrats, if the polls are to be believed.

[gemini81]

It's quite normal that Governments have mid-term falls in poularity which would negatively affect the chances of Pongsapat. Additionally, Sukhumbhand has the advantage of being the incumbent. He can point to his record of acheivments over the past four years in order to win voter support, something which none of the other candidates can do.

Now Bangkok has tradionally been a Democrat stronghold, both in National and Gubanatorial elections. So all the factors should point to a Democrat victory and yet we see that the middle class voters of Bangkok are rejecting the Demcocrats in order to support PTP - very little support going to independant candidates which is where you'd expect to see the protest vote go.

So PTP now gaining support from the middle classes and well as the rural poor. Interesting. As a guess I'd say it is due to the popularity of Yingluck and her ability to restore peace to the country.

Far from it in the south. The only reason for a little peace here in BKK is because the the oligarchy of corrupt red shirts are in power getting their fair shares, and throwing some peanuts to the poor along the way, so don't fool yourself. Once they don't get a slice of the pie, they'll be paying bums to sit on the streets and form mobs again.

[rixalex]

The rumours of military coups seem like distant chatter these days.

Again, you are giving credit for the stopping of something that government itself has been most guilty.

[rubl]

Two days passed since the OP. Surely it's time for another poll :-)

[rubl]

Today I noticed that on the board put up along the road outside my appartment all 25 candidates were introduced with a small poster, photo, etc., etc. Only #14 missing, maybe withdrawn.

Only three more weeks, may the best human being win