Tight Race Between Pongsapat, Sukhumbhand: Bangkok Poll

[webfact]

BANGKOK POLL TRACKER
Tight race between Pongsapat, Sukhumbhand
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A red Furby, an electronic robotic toy, sits at the table in place of Pheu Thai candidate Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, Bangkok governor election candidate No 9, after he failed to show up at a debate organised by Sri Patum University yesterday.
newsjs
The Pheu Thai Party's Pongsapat Pongcharoen and Democrat Sukhumbhand Paribatra are neck-and-neck in the Bangkok gubernatorial race, as per the latest results released by Ban Somdej poll yesterday.

The margin between Pongsapat and Sukhum-bhand's job-approval ratings is less than 1 per cent two weeks ahead of the March 3 election. Pongsapat scored 29.5 per cent and Sukhumbhand won 29.1 per cent. Meanwhile, independent candidate Pol General Sereepisuth Temeeyaves came in third with 8.8 per cent, while 19 per cent of the voters said they were undecided.

The poll was conducted on 1,157 eligible voters from February 18-20. Asked what the most important factor for a vote would be, 40 per cent said policies and 36 per cent said the candidate's party. Up to 81 per cent said they would vote on March 3, 15 per cent were not sure if they would bother, while 3.5 per cent would not vote.

Academic held

A 45-year-old academic was arrested yesterday for posting anti-Thaksin Shinawatra messages on an election campaign board of the Pheu Thai Party's Pongsapat Pongcharoen.

Hathaiwut Saithong, an academic under the jurisdiction of Bangkok's Educational Office 5, was charged with violating Article 57 of the Local Election Act, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a Bt100,000 fine.

Police said they saw Hathaiwut posting a sticker reading, "We do not want a governor who only pays lip-service", on a campaign board on Lat Phrao 45 in Bangkok's Huay Kwang district. Police said he was caught carrying 50 other stickers that read: "We do not choose a governor who burned down the nation". Police said Hathaiwut's bag also had images of Thaksin carrying the message that he should be jailed.


-- The Nation 2013-02-22

[Locationthailand]

Have to say I sympathise with the Academic. More power to him.

[kimamey]

Although I can sympathise with his views I'm not sure that defacing posters is a good way particularly as it appears to violate the law. I don't really know how Pongsapat is implicated in the arson in Bangkok other than through connections with the red shirts. Most of them weren't involved in the arson anyway. As for Thaksin being jailed that's not only his personal view but the view of the Thai justice system.

[dcutman]

Assumption University's ABAC poll asked 2,498 people between Feb 15-18,
finding that 59.7 per cent of eligible voters are likely to vote March
3, up nearly 10 per cent from the 50.6 per cent registered in the last
survey.
The popularity of former deputy national police chief
Pongsapat has risen from 43.9 to 46.6, while the former Bangkok governor
Sukhumbhand's popularity has fallen dramatically from 37.6 per cent to
29.9 in the latest survey.

Comparing the 2 polling agencies, I dont understand how there can be such a substantial difference in the popularity percentages.

ABAC 46.6 for Pongsapat

29.9 for Sukhumbhand

Ban Somdej 29.5 Pongsapat

29.1 Sukhumbhand

The only difference I can see is the "eligible voter" verbiage, and the number of people poled.

Ban Somdej is clear on this. "The poll was conducted on 1,157 eligible voters"

ABAC only implies the poll was eligible voters. It really only states "finding that 59.7 per cent of eligible voters are likely to vote March"

I can only assume Somdej called 2500 people and out of those 1,157 where eligible voters, and only extrapolates data from those eligible. Where ABAC extrapolates the data from all responders, but does ask if they are eligible to vote in Bangkok.

[apetley]

Up to 10 years in jail and 100k fine for a little political graffitti. Compare that to the punishmwnt meted out fir far more heinous crimes.

Some very strange sentences possible here.

[muttley]

How low do these PTP people stoop in blatant disregard of law. Use of photos and then altering them is a criminal breach of copyright - copyright theft. Yet of course, no one will bring charges. I suppose they feel immune with the Police chief on their side. Amazing Thailand alright...

"... celebrities' pictures were doctored to show they supported candidate No 9. They included Bird Thongchai McIntyre, heartthrob Nadech Kugimiya and boxer Buakaw Por Pramuk."

Have to say I sympathise with the Academic. More power to him.

Locationthailand, Thai Visa's very own Moral Metronome.................

[muttley]

Assumption University's ABAC poll asked 2,498 people between Feb 15-18,

finding that 59.7 per cent of eligible voters are likely to vote March

3, up nearly 10 per cent from the 50.6 per cent registered in the last

survey.

The popularity of former deputy national police chief

Pongsapat has risen from 43.9 to 46.6, while the former Bangkok governor

Sukhumbhand's popularity has fallen dramatically from 37.6 per cent to

29.9 in the latest survey.

Comparing the 2 polling agencies, I dont understand how there can be such a substantial difference in the popularity percentages.

ABAC 46.6 for Pongsapat

29.9 for Sukhumbhand

Ban Somdej 29.5 Pongsapat

29.1 Sukhumbhand

The only difference I can see is the "eligible voter" verbiage, and the number of people poled.

Ban Somdej is clear on this. "The poll was conducted on 1,157 eligible voters"

ABAC only implies the poll was eligible voters. It really only states "finding that 59.7 per cent of eligible voters are likely to vote March"

I can only assume Somdej called 2500 people and out of those 1,157 where eligible voters, and only extrapolates data from those eligible. Where ABAC extrapolates the data from all responders, but does ask if they are eligible to vote in Bangkok.

Ever wondered about the name of the University that carries out the ABAC Poll ?

Edited February 22, 2013 by muttley

[KKvampire]

Have to say I sympathise with the Academic. More power to him.

What a pathetic country when someone is arrested and charge with such a crazy law. Police need to spend more time catching criminals, YES those who Khun Saithong was referring to.

[rubl]

Luckily this coming Sunday we'll have the last poll before the elections. One whole week without. What will TV posters do

[bigbamboo]

So who won the debate...... the Democrat or the Furby?

[Bellweather]

Have to say I sympathise with the Academic. More power to him.

It'a amazing how easy it is to get into trouble by simply telling the " inconvenient " truth

[Bellweather]

Don't you just love political candidates ? They have been on walkabouts , serving food at markets and most important making promises they cannot and will not attempt to keep. Oh I nearly forgot, mudslinging and some dirty tricks but all in a good cause to help the voters elect the most suitable and deserving candidate

[Pimay1]

Does anyone know why Pongsapat failed to show up at the debate? Surely he was invited.

[Thaddeus]

Does anyone know why Pongsapat failed to show up at the debate? Surely he was invited.

He thought that no one would notice the difference between him and a red furby.

[longway]

So who won the debate...... the Democrat or the Furby?

I dont know, but the loser will be viewed as one that Yingluck might be able to beat.

[youngXpat]

'The Pheu Thai Party's Pongsapat Pongcharoen and Democrat Sukhumbhand Paribatra are neck-and-neck in the Bangkok gubernatorial race'

Only 1 brown envelope separate the pair!

[beano2274]

Just had the Democrat leader at the office trying to get votes for his candidate, last time he came was the last general election, and we all know what happened then.

[rubl]

70% of young voters expected to vote in March 3 Bangkok governorship election: EC

By Digital Media



BANGKOK,
Feb 22 - Thailand's Election Commission (EC) on Thursday said about 70
per cent of young voters are expected to cast ballots in the upcoming
Bangkok gubernatorial election.


EC Secretary-General Puchong Nutrawong said there are about 4.3 million
eligible voters for the March 3 election and one million of them are
young voters.


He said 79,005 persons are new voters this time.


Mr Puchong said he believes 70 per cent of youth who are eligible to vote will go to the polls next week.


The Suan Sunandha Poll, conducted by Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University
among 1,238 young eligible voters earlier this week, from Monday through
Wednesday, found 72.13 per cent saying they will vote for a new Bangkok
governor next Sunday.


Thirteen per cent said they won't vote, while nearly 15 per cent have not yet decided.


Regarding the problems which they said should be ranked according to
importance. 25 per cent said the new governor should solve traffic
congestion, followed 16 per cent who said that a clean city was most
important.


Fourteen per cent want free air-conditioned public buses, while 11 per cent prefer free WiFi service across the capital.


Meanwhile, Huay Kwang District Chief Chumphon Chaokoh launched a
campaign urging Bangkokians to vote by shooting a video clip of him and
his civil service staff dancing the Harlem Shake at a market in front of
the Bangkok’s MCOT Modernine TV, Thai News Agency and MCOT Online News
headquarters.


The Harlem Shake, featuring a part where a number of costumed persons
danced to the song "Harlem Shake" by Baauer, is an Internet meme that
went viral on YouTube this month.


The meme is in the form of a video that began being replicated according to a similar concept by many people across the world.


Mr Chumphon said there are about 59,000 eligible voters in his district
and the voter turnout in last gubernatorial election was 51 per cent.


He said he hoped the campaign will encourage more people to come out to the polls this time. (MCOT online news)



-- TNA 2013-02-22

[khunken]

Can someone explain to me why adverts for candidate no 16 have been appearing regularly on Thaivisa.

[Bobobirdiebuddy]

Is it just my perception or does the Bangkok Post seem to slander Sukhumbhand and give a pass for the PTP's Pongsapat?

[muttley]

Just had the Democrat leader at the office trying to get votes for his candidate, last time he came was the last general election, and we all know what happened then.

Abhisit campaigning for votes at your office eh? What's it like working in the Election Commission of Thailand?

[muttley]

So who won the debate...... the Democrat or the Furby?

I dont know, but the loser will be viewed as one that Yingluck might be able to beat.

You realise the last person she beat, the loser, was abhisit

[Pimay1]

Just had the Democrat leader at the office trying to get votes for his candidate, last time he came was the last general election, and we all know what happened then.

Abhisit campaigning for votes at your office eh? What's it like working in the Election Commission of Thailand?

Great post muttley thanks. I always enjoy a good laugh and a slapstick joke before I sign off. Keep them coming.

[Locationthailand]

How low do these PTP people stoop in blatant disregard of law. Use of photos and then altering them is a criminal breach of copyright - copyright theft. Yet of course, no one will bring charges. I suppose they feel immune with the Police chief on their side. Amazing Thailand alright...

"... celebrities' pictures were doctored to show they supported candidate No 9. They included Bird Thongchai McIntyre, heartthrob Nadech Kugimiya and boxer Buakaw Por Pramuk."

Have to say I sympathise with the Academic. More power to him.

Locationthailand, Thai Visa's very own Moral Metronome.................

Defacing is not the same as copyright theft but I guess you missed that point...

[Thaddeus]

Just had the Democrat leader at the office trying to get votes for his candidate, last time he came was the last general election, and we all know what happened then.

Abhisit campaigning for votes at your office eh? What's it like working in the Election Commission of Thailand?

What's it like working for a fake red Furby.

And could you tell the difference, wouldn't matter though would it, as long as the pay checks come in eh.

[JAG]

Luckily this coming Sunday we'll have the last poll before the elections. One whole week without. What will TV posters do

Well they can use the week to prepare and rehearse their denouncements, just in case more people vote for the PT candidate rather than the Democrat candidate!

[Buchholz]

So who won the debate...... the Democrat or the Furby?

I dont know, but the loser will be viewed as one that Yingluck might be able to beat.

You realise the last person she beat, the loser, was abhisit

She's never debated anyone.... anywhere.... at any time....

.

[Thaddeus]

So who won the debate...... the Democrat or the Furby?

I dont know, but the loser will be viewed as one that Yingluck might be able to beat.

You realise the last person she beat, the loser, was abhisit

She's never debated anyone.... anywhere.... at any time....

.

And probably never likely to either.