Sukhumbhand Re-Elected Bangkok Governor, Defeats Pongsapat In Major Upset

[MAJIC]

I was preparing this post in the topic which just got closed. So let me just put it here.

It would seem some of the apologists have woken up early.

I'm too lazy to search, but I vaguely remember many to say this would be a clear move away from 'old politics', 'the fine impression our PM makes on all', 'police officers are so much liked in Bangkok', 'seamless co-operation', etc., etc.

By now it seems to be 'doesn't matter', 'well done Pheu Thai'.

Anyway it looks like we got a 60++% turnout of voters, something Pheu Thai had stressed as being important for their candidate. The rain and only Dem's being chauffeur driven (as our dear gKid mentioned) must have played havoc on all carefully laid out plans. Interesting is also that the Bangkok Governor race seems to have polarized voters a bit more again. We seem to have close to 90% of votes for two candidates when in 2009 that was 75%. Of course it could be none of the other 23 candidates this time were really inspiring voters who have to vote for the top two assuming they wanted to vote. And now we have to wait and see in how far the Pheu Thai led government really committed to resolve various problems in co-operation with the new Bangkok governor. BTW, where there any 'real' commitments?

For the record, I maintained the position that the Democrats would most likely win. As you may recall, I repeatedly stresses that the polling results only reflected resident's preferences and not the preferences of those registered to vote. Bangkok has millions of residents that are not legally allowed to vote as they are registered in different regions. Mo conspiracy to deny people the vote either. You have to be a registered voter to matter in the election. What may have played against the PTP was the assumtion of some that they would win and so the PTP favouring voters did not turn out,. In any case, the Democrats won and that is that.

And neither do Bankokians have the right to vote in Isaan,unlike you to have a case of sour grapes GK!

[waza]

Pheu Thai Party's candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen, conceded his defeat at a press conference at the ruling party's headquarters yesterday evening.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Sukhumbhand-set-for-second-term-with-record-Number-30201173.htmlhttp://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Sukhumbhand-set-for-second-term-with-record-Number-30201173.htmlhttp://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Sukhumbhand-set-for-second-term-with-record-Number-30201173.html

Political infighting between the Pheu Thai Party and red shirt communities continues as disappointment over the governments’ performance takes hold. Pheu Thai suffered its third electoral defeat in two weeks, losing the Chiang Rai mayoral election to Bhumjaithai Party candidate Wanchai Chongsutnamani. As with previous Pheu Thai defeats, red shirt supporters increasingly opt to contest the election themselves or support a non-MP nominated candidate because they feel they have yet to benefit from the government they originally helped to elect. http://hdff.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/HDFF-Weekly-Thailand-Review-7-13-May.pdf

[whybother]

Does that mean we won't get the 5000 toilets?

[MAJIC]

i do not know why anyone is surprised,Bangkok has been staunchly Dem for over a decade, and will remain so i suspect.

blatantly populist policies dont work where you have an educated voter base.

Not exactly. The Democrats benefit from the fact that millions of Bangkok residents are not allowed to vote in the election.

If the voting rules followed the typical practices in other democracies where all that mattered was the need to have lived in the region for a year, then the voter pool would be very different with hundreds of thousands of PTP leaning people voting. This is just the way the voter requirements are structured. It is no different than the hundreds of thousands of Thais working in Phuket, not being allowed to vote in Phuket elections since they are not registered in Phuket and why the police allocation still depends upon the 300,000 registered population ves the almost 1million actual population. This is how it is in Thailand.

Could it be that they can vote elsewhere, and don't consider Bangkok their home?

Yes! and probably couldn't give a toss about thinking ahead six months,for a miserable vote,when there is a need to earn a living.

[waza]

Pheu Thai Party's candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen, conceded his defeat at a press conference at the ruling party's headquarters yesterday evening.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Sukhumbhand-set-for-second-term-with-record-Number-30201173.htmlhttp://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Sukhumbhand-set-for-second-term-with-record-Number-30201173.htmlhttp://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Sukhumbhand-set-for-second-term-with-record-Number-30201173.html

Political infighting between the Pheu Thai Party and red shirt communities continues as disappointment over the governments’ performance takes hold. Pheu Thai suffered its third electoral defeat in two weeks, losing the Chiang Rai mayoral election to Bhumjaithai Party candidate Wanchai Chongsutnamani. As with previous Pheu Thai defeats, red shirt supporters increasingly opt to contest the election themselves or support a non-MP nominated candidate because they feel they have yet to benefit from the government they originally helped to elect. http://hdff.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/HDFF-Weekly-Thailand-Review-7-13-May.pdf

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Monday blamed the low voter turnout for her Pheu Thai Party's defeat in the Sunday by-election in Pathum Thani.

http://genweb.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Yingluck-blames-low-voter-turnout-for-by-election--30180523.html

Democrats surprise with victory in Pheu Thai stronghold. 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. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Democrats-surprise-with-victory-in-Pheu-Thai-stron-30189693.html

Its seems the PTP government hasnt won an election or by-election since the last general election. Maybe the ineptitude of this cabinet and its corrupt self enriching policies are eroding their supporter base and mandate. Is the writting on the wall for the PTP, their convicted criminal godfather and his puppet PM sister.

Edited March 3, 2013 by waza

[Thai at Heart]

Anyone remember what was the turnout at the last general election?

[Buchholz]

Pheu Thai Party's candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen, conceded his defeat at a press conference at the ruling party's headquarters yesterday evening.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Sukhumbhand-set-for-second-term-with-record-Number-30201173.htmlhttp://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Sukhumbhand-set-for-second-term-with-record-Number-30201173.htmlhttp://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Sukhumbhand-set-for-second-term-with-record-Number-30201173.html

Political infighting between the Pheu Thai Party and red shirt communities continues as disappointment over the governments’ performance takes hold. Pheu Thai suffered its third electoral defeat in two weeks, losing the Chiang Rai mayoral election to Bhumjaithai Party candidate Wanchai Chongsutnamani. As with previous Pheu Thai defeats, red shirt supporters increasingly opt to contest the election themselves or support a non-MP nominated candidate because they feel they have yet to benefit from the government they originally helped to elect. http://hdff.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/HDFF-Weekly-Thailand-Review-7-13-May.pdf

.

Also from that linked article of May 2012, comes the issue of Jatuporn back then:

Another internal strife is the possible appointment of red shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan as deputy interior minister. The proposal has received criticism from Pheu Thai MP Chalong Riewraeng. Chalong explained that Jatuporn should first clear his name regarding his supposed lese majeste offence. Even if he did though, Chalong warned Prime Minister Yingluck to reconsider bringing someone into the cabinet who was involved in the 2010 unrest and the "burning of the city".

==============================================================

.

Coincidental to the just-concluded Bangkok election, the Pheu Thai Party is still unsure what to do with him.

His name was bantered about as potential appointment as Deputy Bangkok Governor after Police General Dr. Pongsapat was elected governor.

But since that didn't happen, he's still a man without a position.

.

Edited March 3, 2013 by Buchholz

[MAJIC]

For some reason this shock result brings back memories of a certain Norwegiah football commentator some years ago after his country had surprisingly beaten England....

"Chalerm Yubamrung, Kittirat na Ranong, Jatuporn Prompan, Thida Thavornseth, Princess Yingluck, Surapong Towijakchaijkul, Pojaman na Pombera, Yaowapa Wongsawat, Thaksin Shinawatra.... can you hear me?........ Thaksin Shinawatra...... your boy took a hell of a beating!"

You suppose Thaksin is going to give electric poles a bit more respect from now on?

Nooo! he's the only one who doesn't know he talks a load of crap.

[Buchholz]

Pheu Thai Party's candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen, conceded his defeat at a press conference at the ruling party's headquarters yesterday evening.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Sukhumbhand-set-for-second-term-with-record-Number-30201173.htmlhttp://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Sukhumbhand-set-for-second-term-with-record-Number-30201173.htmlhttp://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Sukhumbhand-set-for-second-term-with-record-Number-30201173.html

Political infighting between the Pheu Thai Party and red shirt communities continues as disappointment over the governments’ performance takes hold. Pheu Thai suffered its third electoral defeat in two weeks, losing the Chiang Rai mayoral election to Bhumjaithai Party candidate Wanchai Chongsutnamani. As with previous Pheu Thai defeats, red shirt supporters increasingly opt to contest the election themselves or support a non-MP nominated candidate because they feel they have yet to benefit from the government they originally helped to elect. http://hdff.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/HDFF-Weekly-Thailand-Review-7-13-May.pdf

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Monday blamed the low voter turnout for her Pheu Thai Party's defeat in the Sunday by-election in Pathum Thani.

http://genweb.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Yingluck-blames-low-voter-turnout-for-by-election--30180523.html

Democrats surprise with victory in Pheu Thai stronghold. 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. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Democrats-surprise-with-victory-in-Pheu-Thai-stron-30189693.html

Its seems the PTP government hasnt won an election or by-election since the last general election. Maybe the ineptitude of this cabinet and its corrupt self enriching policies are eroding their supporter base and mandate. Is the writting on the wall for the PTP, their convicted criminal godfather and his puppet PM sister.

.

Can't win with low voter turnout in Pathum Thani, can't win with high voter turnout in Bangkok.

March 4, 2013

Yesterday's voter turnout was 63.98 per cent despite rainstorms in several parts of the capital.

It was the highest turnout for a gubernatorial election in Bangkok.

More: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Sukhumbhands-record-victory-Local-vote-with-nation-30201190.html#sthash.qv0g5wKw.dpuf

[MAJIC]

Pheu Thai Party's candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen, conceded his defeat at a press conference at the ruling party's headquarters yesterday evening.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Sukhumbhand-set-for-second-term-with-record-Number-30201173.htmlhttp://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Sukhumbhand-set-for-second-term-with-record-Number-30201173.htmlhttp://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Sukhumbhand-set-for-second-term-with-record-Number-30201173.html

Political infighting between the Pheu Thai Party and red shirt communities continues as disappointment over the governments’ performance takes hold. Pheu Thai suffered its third electoral defeat in two weeks, losing the Chiang Rai mayoral election to Bhumjaithai Party candidate Wanchai Chongsutnamani. As with previous Pheu Thai defeats, red shirt supporters increasingly opt to contest the election themselves or support a non-MP nominated candidate because they feel they have yet to benefit from the government they originally helped to elect. http://hdff.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/HDFF-Weekly-Thailand-Review-7-13-May.pdf

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra Monday blamed the low voter turnout for her Pheu Thai Party's defeat in the Sunday by-election in Pathum Thani.

http://genweb.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Yingluck-blames-low-voter-turnout-for-by-election--30180523.html

Democrats surprise with victory in Pheu Thai stronghold. 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. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Democrats-surprise-with-victory-in-Pheu-Thai-stron-30189693.html

Its seems the PTP government hasnt won an election or by-election since the last general election. Maybe the ineptitude of this cabinet and its corrupt self enriching policies are eroding their supporter base and mandate. Is the writting on the wall for the PTP, their convicted criminal godfather and his puppet PM sister.

Post Cancelled.

Edited March 3, 2013 by MAJIC

[Bellweather]

Sukhumbhand wins with more than 1.2 million votes: unofficial results

Democrat candidate Sukhumbhand Paribatra won the Bangkok governor election according to unofficial results by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, which has so far finished 99.97 per cent of vote tally.

At 7:32 pm, the BMA has finished counting the ballots by 6,546 out of 6,548 polling stations or by 99.97 per cent.

The results showed Sukhumbhand got 1,255,960 votes while Pheu Thai candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen got 1,77,262 votes.

-- The Nation 2013-03-03

Did a certain Deputy PM not say he would not give any interviews for a week if this happened ! Cue Simon and Garfunkel " Sound of Silence " except for the interviews to explain why there are no interviews. Oh my brain hurts

[Robby nz]

It was interesting to see Sukhumbhand on tele during the floods he was always listining to people, asking questions and listining to the replies.

A stark contrast to Yingluck who was and still is always talking.

Possibly the fact that she is a woman could have some bearing on that.

But still I found out long ago that you can never learn anything while you are talking for you can only say what you already know.

[AleG]

So now comes the next phase, were Yingluck's Thaksin's government does it's damnest to torpedo his second administration.

[ilyushin]

Yesterday, I overheard several Thai people complaining that they were not given their incentives as PT had earlier promised them so they voted for other parties. Possible that the funding of one grand per person failed to reach the hands of voters in time.

To be honest, I am happy with the results.

[GentlemanJim]

So let the sweepstake commence before we are presented with 'evidence' from the police at every polling station of people wandering in wearing yellow shirts several times and the police with their hand held counters saying too many people entered the polling both or too few entered for the number of votes cast.! I give it 12 hours from now, or 12 hours from the end of a recount, whichever comes later. I imagine in flight that the PM has been choking on her smorgesbord.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/623258-pheu-thai-to-complain-to-e-c-about-fraud-during-bangkok-governor-election/

Damn I was an hour and a half out

[DocN]

i do not know why anyone is surprised,Bangkok has been staunchly Dem for over a decade, and will remain so i suspect.

blatantly populist policies dont work where you have an educated voter base.

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooow....populist policies don't work, if you have an educated voters base?

Are we still talking about the Bangkok- election?

[OzMick]

I wonder if PTP will be stupid enough to label this an "electoral coup" and demand a new election.

Pollsters smart enough to ask if those polled are eligible may have come across a fundamental problem - those so lacking in ethics that they intend to vote PTP would have no problem telling a "white lie" to keep their electorate unworried.

[maidu]

Why does transliteration always make a mess of things? Did Thais transliterate his name, or was it farang? Transliteration (from Thai spellings to Roman letters) is to assist farang, it's not for Thais. The man's name, when taken from Thai spelling, is Sukumpen. How did the media get it as Sukhumbhand?

It's like the screw-up with Bkk's new airport's name, which should be transliterated as Suwanboom.

Incidentally, the re-elected gov's pet name (as he's referred to in Thai newspapers, at least) is 'Dear Pig.'

On a political note; this election result is a set back for the scoundrel-in-exile.

Edited March 4, 2013 by maidu

[AleG]

Why does transliteration always make a mess of things? Did Thais transliterate his name, or was it farang? Transliteration (from Thai spellings to Roman letters) is to assist farang, it's not for Thais. The man's name, when taken from Thai spelling, is Sukumpen. How did the media get it as Sukhumbhand?

It's like the screw-up with Bkk's new airport's name, which should be transliterated as Suwanboom.

Same why there's a Suvarnabhumi airport.

Edited March 4, 2013 by AleG

[Siripon]

Why does transliteration always make a mess of things? Did Thais transliterate his name, or was it farang? Transliteration (from Thai spellings to Roman letters) is to assist farang, it's not for Thais. The man's name, when taken from Thai spelling, is Sukumpen. How did the media get it as Sukhumbhand?

It's like the screw-up with Bkk's new airport's name, which should be transliterated as Suwanboom.

Incidentally, the re-elected gov's pet name (as he's referred to in Thai newspapers, at least) is 'Dear Pig.'

On a political note; this election result is a set back for the scoundrel-in-exile.

Far better to have a cute pig than a man called Judy,that was very worrying.

Regarding Thai transliteration, every Thai letter has been given an English equivalent, so though there are 3 Ps in Thai they only use the English letter p for one, the others use ph and bh- utterly confusing for foreigners and surely time to be changed .

[OzMick]

i do not know why anyone is surprised,Bangkok has been staunchly Dem for over a decade, and will remain so i suspect.

blatantly populist policies dont work where you have an educated voter base.

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooow....populist policies don't work, if you have an educated voters base?

Are we still talking about the Bangkok- election?

Relatively speaking -yes. Have you forgotten the reds whining about resources being concentrated in the cities (the most efficient use)?

[Bellweather]

Why does transliteration always make a mess of things? Did Thais transliterate his name, or was it farang? Transliteration (from Thai spellings to Roman letters) is to assist farang, it's not for Thais. The man's name, when taken from Thai spelling, is Sukumpen. How did the media get it as Sukhumbhand?

It's like the screw-up with Bkk's new airport's name, which should be transliterated as Suwanboom.

Incidentally, the re-elected gov's pet name (as he's referred to in Thai newspapers, at least) is 'Dear Pig.'

On a political note; this election result is a set back for the scoundrel-in-exile.

Far better to have a cute pig than a man called Judy,that was very worrying.

Regarding Thai transliteration, every Thai letter has been given an English equivalent, so though there are 3 Ps in Thai they only use the English letter p for one, the others use ph and bh- utterly confusing for foreigners and surely time to be changed .

And the F is silent as in Oxo

[SICHONSTEVE]

Bangkok Governor Elections

2009 4,150,103 voters, 2,120,721 votes cast
1. MR Sukhumbhant	Dems		934,602		45.47%
2. Yuranun P.		PT		611,669		29.72%
3. ML Nattakorn		Indep.		334,846		16.17%
4. Kaewsan A.		Team KTP	144,779		7.03%

2013 4,244,465 voters, 2,715,640 votes cast (63.98%)
1. MR Sukhumbhant	Dems		1,256,231	46.25
2. Pongsapat P.		PT		1,077,899	39.63
3. Seripisut T.		Indep.		166,582		6.13
4. Suharit S.		Indep.		78,825		2.90

All data on 2013 preliminary (of course)

So! Landslide confirmed for the Democrats then

One thing it does show is that there are still over a million duped/gullible idiots in Bangkok if they think that PTP are capable politicians, this is despite the fact their experience in politics is 'next to nothing' mostly - just look at Yingluck!!!

The last thing we want is this 'empowerment to women' - no more Thatchers please!!!!

[chooka]

So will Chalerm keep his promise and reframe from all coments for 7 days?

[maidu]

Why does transliteration always make a mess of things? Did Thais transliterate his name, or was it farang? Transliteration (from Thai spellings to Roman letters) is to assist farang, it's not for Thais. The man's name, when taken from Thai spelling, is Sukumpen. How did the media get it as Sukhumbhand?

It's like the screw-up with Bkk's new airport's name, which should be transliterated as Suwanboom.

Incidentally, the re-elected gov's pet name (as he's referred to in Thai newspapers, at least) is 'Dear Pig.'

On a political note; this election result is a set back for the scoundrel-in-exile.

Far better to have a cute pig than a man called Judy,that was very worrying.

Regarding Thai transliteration, every Thai letter has been given an English equivalent, so though there are 3 Ps in Thai they only use the English letter p for one, the others use ph and bh- utterly confusing for foreigners and surely time to be changed .

Actually, there are more than a half dozen Thai letters with 'p' sound and over a half dozen with 't' sound. Transliteration scholars respond by adding profusions of h's which are confusing and misleading. Example, a northern Thai town could be correctly spelled Taton, which is precisely how it sounds. Scholars, who aren't satisfied with plain common sense, pervert the spelling to Tha-Thorn.

Thai Occam's Razor; 'The explanation which is most convoluted and confusing is the one we will use'

[maidu]

So will Chalerm keep his promise and reframe from all coments for 7 days?

As likely as a cat not lifting a paw when a little red ball goes rolling by it.

[Ferangled]

Bangkok Governor Elections

2009 4,150,103 voters, 2,120,721 votes cast
1. MR Sukhumbhant	Dems		934,602		45.47%
2. Yuranun P.		PT		611,669		29.72%
3. ML Nattakorn		Indep.		334,846		16.17%
4. Kaewsan A.		Team KTP	144,779		7.03%

2013 4,244,465 voters, 2,715,640 votes cast (63.98%)
1. MR Sukhumbhant	Dems		1,256,231	46.25
2. Pongsapat P.		PT		1,077,899	39.63
3. Seripisut T.		Indep.		166,582		6.13
4. Suharit S.		Indep.		78,825		2.90

All data on 2013 preliminary (of course)

Interesting the different conclusions being drawn from this.

In contrary to what many are claiming surely this shows that PT support in a traditional democrat stronghold has soared since 2009. They collected nearly twice as many votes, 611,669 up to 1,077,899 - a figure which would have secured the position for previous candidates.

In comparison the Democrats strong voter base in the capital has risen more modestly, from just under a million to 1,256,231. A clear vote of confidence for the Dems but against a backdrop of rising support for PT in Bangkok.

One does wonder what it would take for a Democrat Governor to lose this position given recent history but I guess this reaffirms the belief that to the electorate it's better the devil you know...

[Ferangled]

Bangkok Governor Elections

2009 4,150,103 voters, 2,120,721 votes cast
1. MR Sukhumbhant	Dems		934,602		45.47%
2. Yuranun P.		PT		611,669		29.72%
3. ML Nattakorn		Indep.		334,846		16.17%
4. Kaewsan A.		Team KTP	144,779		7.03%

2013 4,244,465 voters, 2,715,640 votes cast (63.98%)
1. MR Sukhumbhant	Dems		1,256,231	46.25
2. Pongsapat P.		PT		1,077,899	39.63
3. Seripisut T.		Indep.		166,582		6.13
4. Suharit S.		Indep.		78,825		2.90

All data on 2013 preliminary (of course)

So! Landslide confirmed for the Democrats then

One thing it does show is that there are still over a million duped/gullible idiots in Bangkok if they think that PTP are capable politicians, this is despite the fact their experience in politics is 'next to nothing' mostly - just look at Yingluck!!!

The last thing we want is this 'empowerment to women' - no more Thatchers please!!!!

A good glimpse of the typical Democrat mindset... "empowerment of women"... christ whatever next, they'll probably even be allowed to vote soon... what is the world coming to?!

[belg]

that will mean, new villa's, mercs and mia nois

[oldsailor35]

Seriously now ! What great things did he do for Bangkok the first term he had .