Senatorial Election Planned For April 19th

[Jai Dee]

Phayao is ready for senatorial election

The Election Commission (EC) in Phayao Province is ready for the Senatorial Election tomorrow.

The Election Office of Phayao has delivered the ballot boxes, voting booths, and senatorial ballot papers to 196 Muang District’s constituencies at the community hall. As for other districts in Phayao, they will also receive the voting tools and utensils today. The province has 834 constituencies in total, and other districts.

The head of the election in Phayao, Mr. Phitipong Maleerat (ภิตพงศ์ มาลีรัตน์), stated that the provincial election officials are prepared in all areas such as the locations, the documents, the ballot boxes, and the committees in each constituency. Officials are also ready to input the election information via internet.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Many complaints on vote buying in Phetchabun

The Election Commission (EC) in Phetchabun Province has come across many complaints on vote buying activities relating to the upcoming Senatorial Election. However, these complaints lack evidence.

The EC Committee in Phetchabun has revealed that the complaints are mostly from the southern part of the province, including Bung Sam Phan (บึงสามพัน), Wichian Buri (วิเชียรบุรี), Wang Pong (วังโป่ง), and Chon Daen (ชนแดน) Districts. The officials have also received many complaints on illegal campaign signs and posters, and the EC will consider the evidences.

The EC anticipates that 70 percent of the eligible voters will cast their ballots. 33,650 from 740,000 locals in Phetchabun have already voted in advance. The EC would like to invite the public to exercise their voting rights tomorrow. The people are encouraged to help the officials in observing any illegitimate activity during the election and vote counting process.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 April 2006

[Kan Win]

Kan you got nothing to say ..... just quote other people's writing??????

Beg my pudding, sorry :D must have pressed the wong buttons.

Not my style BTW to do that.

Yours truly,

Kan Win

[jdinasia]

Have a Singha for me!

[Kan Win]

I love Chuwit! great drama~

The poster with him and the sledgehammer is a Classic ... I kept one

[Jai Dee]

EC is ready to hand out red cards for senatorial election cheaters

The Election Commission has indicated it is ready to hand out red cards once election frauds are detected. The panel urged voters to consider candidates who are neutral with no connections with any political party.

Speaking on the eve of the senatorial election day, Mr. Prinya Nakchudtree (ปริญญา นาคฉัตรีย์), an Election Commissioner, said a total of 1,463 candidates are vying for 200 seats in the Upper House on April 19th. He warns that each voter can vote only for one candidate and that he or she should remember the number of his or her choice well before entering the polling booth.

Mr. Prinya stated that he did not want to see political monopoly by MPs and senators, many of whom have family ties or political connections. So far, a lot of complaints on campaign frauds have been filed to the EC, and the panel has sent out officials to collect information on those cases. Mr. Prinya also said that he has warned election officials to look out for vote-buying.

According to him, if too many complaints on election frauds are filed, announcement of the official result of the election might be delayed. Besides, the EC is not required by laws to convene the Senate within 30 days. If protests continue, the old set of senators will be asked to act on the roles until all the 200 senators are picked.

In his opinion, Mr Prinya said laws covering senatorial election campaigns are too strict, depriving candidates of the rights to publicize themselves. If chances provide, he will call for an amendment to those laws.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 April 2006

[ColPyat]

but anyhow thanks to him, some green in the city near Nana Station, really a nice relieve this mini-park, compared to the missing green in Bangkok. Small but nice! Thanks Chuwi!

That's nice - not only Thais have short memory span.

Let me remind you - in that now green space a few years ago Chuvit hired an army of naklaeng who raided and destroyed in one night a few hundred small businesses who had valid contracts, made a few thousand people unemploeyed and never had to pay substantial reparations, or was punished for it.

Let me remind you also - his many massage parlours were well known to also employ seriously underaged prostitutes from Burma and Yunnan.

Why is it that you guys hate Thaiksin, but seem to have no problem with corrupt mafia figures just because they have a humorous PR campaign?

Edited April 19, 2006 by ColPyat

[jdinasia]

EC is ready to hand out red cards for senatorial election cheaters

The Election Commission has indicated it is ready to hand out red cards once election frauds are detected. The panel urged voters to consider candidates who are neutral with no connections with any political party.

Speaking on the eve of the senatorial election day, Mr. Prinya Nakchudtree (ปริญญา นาคฉัตรีย์), an Election Commissioner, said a total of 1,463 candidates are vying for 200 seats in the Upper House on April 19th. He warns that each voter can vote only for one candidate and that he or she should remember the number of his or her choice well before entering the polling booth.

Mr. Prinya stated that he did not want to see political monopoly by MPs and senators, many of whom have family ties or political connections. So far, a lot of complaints on campaign frauds have been filed to the EC, and the panel has sent out officials to collect information on those cases. Mr. Prinya also said that he has warned election officials to look out for vote-buying.

According to him, if too many complaints on election frauds are filed, announcement of the official result of the election might be delayed. Besides, the EC is not required by laws to convene the Senate within 30 days. If protests continue, the old set of senators will be asked to act on the roles until all the 200 senators are picked.

In his opinion, Mr Prinya said laws covering senatorial election campaigns are too strict, depriving candidates of the rights to publicize themselves. If chances provide, he will call for an amendment to those laws.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 April 2006

hmmm the EC is advising people who to vote for or against?

[Jai Dee]

BMA expects vote counts in BKK to finish before midnight

The Bangkok city clerk expects the counting of votes in the metropolitan area to be finished before midnight.

Khunying Nathanond Thaweesin (ณฐนนท ทวีสิน), the permanent secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and her delegation today visited polling stations for the senatorial election in Meenburi (มีนบุรี), Nongjok (หนองจอก), Ladkrabang (ลาดกระบัง) and Prawet (ประเวศ) to hear the problems and check on how the election is being facilitated.

The city clerk indicated that there has been an increased turnout of voters in this election, while she remains confident the percentage of turnout will be 70%. She expects the result of the ballot count to be declared by this midnight. Regarding possible problems that may arise, Khunying Nathanond mentioned mistakes in ballot counting or delays in transporting the ballot boxes to the counting centers. As for the case where some people had complained of the polling stations not supplying special ballots for the blind, the Election Commission has affirmed that such ballots are present at all stations.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has received confirmation from the directors of election affairs from all 50 constituencies that this senatorial election will proceed with order and involve no corruption. It is also advised that voters check the number of candidate they will vote for before coming to vote, so they don't have to stand waiting for too long.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

A former runner for BKK governor had tore up his ballot in dissatisfaction over its design

A former candidate for the Bangkok Governor post, Mr. Smitr Smitthinan (สมิตร สมิทธินันท์), had tore up his voting ballot in Watthana (วัฒนา) constituency, reasoning that he was unsatisfied with its design. He was taken to a police station and notified of the charges he faces.

72-year-old Smitr, a runner for the Bangkok Governor's position back in the 1985 election, tore up his voting ballot after he came to the polling station at Wat Thatthong (วัดธาตุทอง) School. He explained that he was discontent with the EC's design of the ballot as it had a too many numbers on it, which is due to the large number of candidates in Bangkok. He said this design should be annulled, and voters should instead be able to write down the number of the candidate they are voting for. He also said he was bored of and did not have confidence in the work of the Election Commission.

Police from Khlongtam (คลองตัน) Station had brought the man to the station and informed him of his infringement upon article 108 of the Act on elections. He faces two years imprisonment or 20,000 baht fine for his intentional damaging of the voting ballot. He may also be deprived of his right to vote for the next five years.

After hearing his charges Mr. Samitr said he was not worried, and at half past noon used 200,000 baht to bail himself out.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Ballots counting start

Election officials start counting ballot immediately after the voting period for the senatorial election ends at 3 pm.

Unlike MPs election which ballots have to be delivered to be counted together at a center point, ballot counting for the senatorial election begins at each polling station right away.

_________________________________________________________________

Nitiphum, Rosana also take early lead in Thon Buri

Early results from ballot counting in Bangkok's Thon Buri district showed that columnist Nitiphum Nawarat and activist Rosana Tositrakul are taking lead.

As of 4:20 pm, the counting had been completed for three polling stations and for advance voting and the results showed that Nitiphum received most votes so far.

He was followed by Rosana, Klanarong Chanthik, a former secretary-general of the Office of the National Counter Corruption Commission and former Bangkok Governor Samak Sundaravej

Source: The Nation - Breaking News - April 19, 2006 : Last updated 04:36 pm (Thai local time)

[bdenner]

Many complaints on vote buying in Phetchabun

The Election Commission (EC) in Phetchabun Province has come across many complaints on vote buying activities relating to the upcoming Senatorial Election. However, these complaints lack evidence.

The EC Committee in Phetchabun has revealed that the complaints are mostly from the southern part of the province, including Bung Sam Phan (บึงสามพัน), Wichian Buri (วิเชียรบุรี), Wang Pong (วังโป่ง), and Chon Daen (ชนแดน) Districts. The officials have also received many complaints on illegal campaign signs and posters, and the EC will consider the evidences.

The EC anticipates that 70 percent of the eligible voters will cast their ballots. 33,650 from 740,000 locals in Phetchabun have already voted in advance. The EC would like to invite the public to exercise their voting rights tomorrow. The people are encouraged to help the officials in observing any illegitimate activity during the election and vote counting process.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 April 2006

Shit in posting this I hope it is anonymous --- Well too a certain extent anyway.

TW is what we would call the ‘Returning Officer’ for our electorate (sub district) and gets paid for the job. She marks off the roll as the constituents arrive and escorts the ballet boxes to the Amphur office for counting as well as scrutinizing the procedure. I asked her what the result was “Number 4, 312 votes” then I asked who she voted for “Number 8, he paid me 100 Baht”? How many votes did he get? “6” she says. Who is he “Don’t know, never seen him before.”

I had more questions but was fobbed off as being a “stupid farang”.

Ya gotta wonder.

PS the numbers have been changed for anonimity.

[Jai Dee]

Former senator wishes new senate to truly work for the people

Mr. Chumpol Sirapa-archa (ชุมพล ศิลปอาชา) conveyed to the new senate members to truly work for the people.

Mr. Chumpol Sirapa-archa (ชุมพล ศิลปอาชา), former senate member, communicated that the image and work ethic of the old senate was satisfactory, but that the personal behavior and business angling of many old senate members was entirely negative. Mr. Chumpol stated that many former senate members used their position to obtain personal benefits for themselves, and in blocking independent commissions from scrutinizing their work.

Mr. Chumpol wishes to convey to the new members of the senate to truly work for the people, and not to take sides or obtain personal benefits for themselves. The former senator added that there should be extra emphasis on monitoring the current cabinet.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Nitiphoom still tops the count at midnight, for prospective BKK senators

Police Captain Nitiphoom Nawarat (นิติภูมิ นวรัตน์) still tops the batch of the prospective Bangkok senators at around midnight. In the meantime the vote counting at Bangkok City Hall continues.

The latest unofficial senatorial election vote count for Bangkok indicates that Pol. Capt. Nitiphoom is still in first place, followed by currently 2nd-placed former Bangkok governor Samak Sunthorawet (สมัคร สุนทรเวช). Mr. Klanarong Chanthik (นรงค์ จันทิก) is currently third in the count, before 4th-placed popular NGO figure Ms. Rossana Tositrakoon (รสนา โตสิตระกูล) and 5th-placed former governor of Bangkok Phijitr Rattakul (พิจิตร รัตตกุล).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

EC is satisfied with election turnout despite the number being lower than the earlier targeted figure

The Election Commission has revealed that as of 10.30 pm 22 districts from 8 provinces had sent in their tally results to the central EC body. These provinces consist of Nakhon Pathom, Sa_kaew, Singburi, Krabi, Prachuabkhirikhan, Phrae, Kamphaengpetch, and Uttaradit.

The nationwide voter’s turnout is estimated at 70%. Despite this number being lower than the 75% target set by the EC, Commissioner Parinya Narkchattree says he is satisfied with the figure, reasoning that the current situation prompting frequent elections may have bored the public.

As for the southern region where it has been found that many ballots were marked on the “no vote” box, Mr. Parinya said it is believed this resulted from people still being attached to the image created during the “no-vote” rally in the south back in the April 4th general election.

As for the officials who were killed by insurgents while supervising Wednesday’s election, the Election Commission will provide an initial assistance money of 20,000 baht for each of their families. It will also raise the issue at a commission meeting in order to approve another 80,000 per person.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Angthong: nephew of Chat Thai deputy leader wins

Unofficial results showed that Pethai Orprasert, a nephew of Chat Thai Party deputy leader Somsak Prissanananthakul, won the senatorial election.

Pethai received 49,944 votes, beating the second place, Suraporn Soranarak, who got 28,900 votes.

___________________________________________________

Sa Kaew: Thienthong family wins two senatorial seats

Witthaya Thienthong and Kwanruan Thienthong won the Sa Kaew senatorial seats according to unofficial results.

Witthaya received 85,051 votes while Kwanruan got 80,725 votes.

___________________________________________________

Amnart Charoen: Somying Buabus wins

Unofficial results showed that Somying Buabus won the only Senate seat in Amnart Charoen.

She received 54,015 votes.

___________________________________________________

Lop Buri gets two winners

Ballot counting in Lop Buri has been completed and Worawit Wongsuwan and Prasert Worapanya won according to unofficial results.

Worawit got 41,352 votes and Prasert got 38,282 votes.

___________________________________________________

Loei's ballot counting complete

The ballot counting of senatorial election in Loei has been done and Thanathep Timsuwan and Prengmanee Rengsomboon became top vote earners.

Thanathep got 51,314 votes while Prengmanee got 50,832 votes.

Source: The Nation - April 20, 2006

[Jai Dee]

EC's conduct panned as 'inefficient, incompetent'

Asian Network for Free Elections slams small, nameless ballots; campaign ban

Inefficient and "incompetent" is how the coordinator of the Asian Network for Free Elections des-cribed the conduct of the Election Commission (EC) during yesterday's Senate election.

Network coordinator Somsri Harn-ananthasuk said many technical problems were apparent, ranging from ballots lacking names and pictures of candidates to not enough space between the horizontal rows of boxes for marking. The ballots confused voters and even election officers, Somsri said.

The network will seek a meeting with EC secretary-general Ekkachai Warunprapha today to file complaints. An earlier complaint about the ballots went nowhere.

"Such [inefficient and incompetent] work is detrimental to all candidates," Somsri, who observed the election in Nakhon Ratchasima province, told The Nation.

She said the rule preventing candidates from doing anything more than introducing themselves to the electorate meant rich and well-connected candidates emerged as winners, especially in rural provinces.

The law should be changed to allow some limited campaigning within certain budgetary limits, she said. "Well-known figures or people with senior positions are not necessarily good people."

Pongsak Chanon, a member of the network who observed the election in Surin, said many voters could not recall the number of the candidate they wanted to vote for while others said they mistakenly marked the extra boxes on the ballot papers, which were meant for no one.

Many voters did not realise that the ballot papers had marking spaces at the back as well, and election officials did not remind voters of this, Pongsak said.

"People also have very little interest or participation in the counting process," said Pongsak, adding that reports of vote-buying were also made. "Many ballot papers were nullified."

The problem in Samut Songkhram was the lack of independent candidates, said Chatchawan Rakchart, another election observer from the network.

Source: The Nation - April 20, 2006

[Jai Dee]

UPPER HOUSE ELECTION

Senate: New faces, same old ties

Candidates thought to have links with Thai Rak Thai out in front

Senate candidates known or alleged to have connections with political parties, particularly Thai Rak Thai, will parade into Parliament following yesterday's election of the Upper House.

The results ominously reflect the national divide over controversial caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

In the North and Northeast, candidates who are relatives of, or known to be close to, government politicians were late last night taking comfortable leads in preliminary vote counts in most areas, and the eventual results will confirm the Thai Rak Thai Party's domination of the regions.

In the South, candidates linked to the opposition Democrats were also leading. The most intriguing battleground, however, is Bangkok, where initial results also seem to be a reflection of the bitter polarisation first made evident by the April 2 general election.

Veteran politician Samak Sundaravej, considered a staunch government supporter, was running neck-and-neck, with anti-Thaksin columnist and TV host Nitipoom Nawarat for the first spot in early counts. Despite Samak's good showing, various candidates promoted by the People's Alliance for Democracy acted as a counter-balance to Thai Rak Thai, and were poised to be among the capital's 18 winners.

But the apparent political affiliation of many candidates will cast a major shadow over the upper chamber, supposed to be an independent force to keep the administrative branch in check. Despite its formidable power, the past Senate failed to counter-balance the Thai Rak Thai government, and many senators were even contemptuously labelled "slaves" to the administration.

With the Northeast offering 69 Senate seats, the North 35 and the Central region 51, observers do not expect much change. Rather, they predict continued Thai Rak Thai dominance of the upper chamber.

In Nakhon Ratchasima alone, wives and brothers of key Thai Rak Thai leaders Suwat Liptapanlop, Pairoj Suwanchawee, Chamlong Krutkhuntod and Suporn Attavong looked poised to win last night.

In Buri Ram, the father of another key Thai Rak Thai figure, Newin Chidchob, will surely take one seat. Other potential winners include the wife of Thai Rak Thai's Sophon Phetsawang and a brother of Thammarak Isaragura na Ayutthaya.

Strengthening cynics' claims that Parliament will consist of "chambers of husbands and wives", the wife of caretaker Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat was set to win in Chiang Rai, while in Loei, a Thai Rak Thai MP's wife and a former Thai Rak Thai MP were out in front. In Maha Sarakham, the wife of a former pro-government senator was shown to be leading in early counts.

Pro-Thai Rak Thai candidates were also dominating Chiang Mai ballots, although surprisingly Thaksin's sister-in-law Poruethai Shinawatra was trailing in seventh spot. The northern province has five Senate seats.

The overall results threatened to be a major blow to the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy, which had been campaigning for voters nationwide to disregard candidates with links to Thaksin or the Thai Rak Thai Party.

The PAD even supported certain candidates in the northeastern region, but most of them were staring into the jaws of defeat yesterday.

With so many winning candidates having links or suspected links with Thai Rak Thai, the new Senate is - like the last one - unlikely to wield its impeachment power.

In an act of desperation, Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa yesterday sarcastically suggested the Senate revert to being an appointed body to ensure balance. But Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva displayed optimism, calling on incoming senators to join hands to restore checks and balances via the new round of political reforms.

In Bangkok, observers said, the initial results showed that voters in the capital were still struck by a strong desire to counter-balance the Thai Rak Thai Party, considering the number of winning candidates critical of the prime minister.

Source: The Nation - April 20, 2006

[Jai Dee]

City dumps TRT proxies

Only two leading candidates seen as linked to Thaksin's party

Bangkok yesterday voted to keep candidates seen as being linked to Thai Rak Thai out of the Senate. Of the 18 candidates leading the race for the Upper House, only two were seen to be linked to the party headed by caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

But those candidates, Samak Sundaravej and Kriangsak Lohachala, have also built their own support bases as former governor of Bangkok and permanent secretary to the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority, respectively.

The 16 other leading candidates included two journalists, two businessmen, two ex-bureaucrats, an actor and civic workers.

Three of the top five candidates were prominent in the campaign to unseat Mr Thaksin.

Klanarong Chanthik made his mark in 2001, when as then secretary-general of the National Counter Corruption Commission he accused Prime Minister Thaksin of deliberately submitting a false declaration on his assets and liabilities when he was deputy prime minister in 1997.

The Constitution Court's acquittal of Mr Thaksin, by a margin of one vote, made the case as memorable as Mr Klanarong's role in it.

Candidate Rosana Tositrakul, president of the Federation of Consumer Organisations, was instrumental in getting the Supreme Administrative Court's ruling on March 23 against the government's privatisation of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.

She also brought a case against a former public health minister for irregularities in the purchase of pharmaceuticals that led to his imprisonment.

Nitiphum Nawarat, a newspaper columnist, television commentator and tutor, had spoken of dire consequences for the country if Mr Thaksin remained in power, at forums staged by the People's Alliance for Democracy.

Sombat Chantornwong, a political scientist from Thammasat University, said the results of the Senate race in Bangkok showed public sentiment against Thai Rak Thai influenced voter decisions.

The outcome resembled that of the April 2 snap elections boycotted by the three former opposition parties, where many people also chose not to vote.

However, Mr Sombat said city senators could do little to counter the influence of their colleagues said to be tied to Thai Rak Thai, when voting was required in the Upper House.

The poll outcome nationwide showed the Thaksin regime stands to take control of not only the House of Representatives, but also the Senate via its proxies.

Mr Sombat said sentiment against the EC would increase after the agency was seen to have treated unfairly candidates who were not in favour of Thai Rak Thai.

''People are bottling it up and they'll explode. They will involve themselves more in civil disobedience and other protest acts.

''We haven't seen the last of the Silom phenomenon yet,'' he said.

He was referring to the case in which shopkeepers in Silom's Soi Lalaisap emerged at a food court and yelled ''Thaksin Get Out!'' at Mr Thaksin, who was dining there.

Mr Sombat also said city voters cast their votes for veteran actor Sombat Methanee because of his reputation.

Sukhum Chaloeysap, director of Suan Dusit poll, said Mr Klanarong, Ms Rosana and Mr Nitiphum received votes from the inner areas while Mr Samak banked on loyal supporters citywide.

Former senator Sophon Supapong said the result reflected city voters' increased understanding of the Senate's role, responsibilities and need for independence.

''About 60% voted for civil activists as they knew the country needs to rein in corruption. And if Mr Dej-udom (Krairit) is also elected, it means city voters will have also realised the importance of human rights,'' he said.

Mr Sophon said Mr Klanarong, Ms Rosana and Mr Kwansuang Atipothi had long proved that they were not driven by self-interest.

Source: Bangkok Post - 20 April 2006

[george]

Bangkok senate unofficial results

1. Nitiphum Nawarat 257,420

2. Samak Sundaravej 240,312

3. Klanarong Janthik 146,525

4. Rosana Tositrakul 118,332

5. Bichit Rattakul 100,211

6. Sombat Methanee 53,562

7. Kwansuang Atibodhi 45,715

8. Jutinan Pirompakdi 35,505

9. Samai Charoenchang 30,271

10. Nalinee Taweesin 29,589

11. Soonthorn Saikwan 26,604

12. Uthai Pimchaichon 25,407

13. Manwipa Intarathat 25,089

14. Samart Malooleem 24,290

15. At-ong Chumsai 23,132

16. Pichit Kuantechakup 22,673

17. Prakit Wateesatokkit 22,491

18. Boonyod Suktintai 21,449

--Bangkok Post 2006-04-20

[Jai Dee]

New Senate branded as house of proxies

Political ties 'heavier than in previous one'

No sooner was the election over than the new Senate was being labelled as the House of family members and politicians' proxies. Former senator Pichet Pattanachote said many politicians had fielded proxies as candidates and political connections in the new Senate were heavier and more apparent than last time.

''This poses a major concern because with these people in parliament the intention of the constitution cannot be realised,'' he said.

Former senator Kraisak Choonhavan said about 170 senators of the total 200 were spawned by parties.

The parties were unnerved by the formation of independent organisations, which the Senate plays a role in appointing, so had encouraged their own people to go forward.

As most potential candidates were proxies of the Thai Rak Thai party, the new Senate could not check on the performance of the government, which meant another political crisis was looming large, he said.

The candidates which won a high number of votes were often those under the control of major parties _ Chart Thai and Thai Rak Thai in the Central Region, Thai Rak Thai, Chart Thai and the Democrats in the Northeast; Democrats in the South; and Thai Rak Thai in the North, said Mr Kraisak.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, candidates with a promising chance include Poonpirom Liptapanlop, wife of Suwat Liptapanlop, Ranongrak Suwannachawee, wife of Pairote Suwannachawee, Linda Cherdchai, daughter-in-law of Suchinda Cherdchai, and Boonlert Krudkhunthod, younger brother of Chamlong Krudkhunthod. These are all from Thai Rak Thai.

In Buri Ram, candidates with a good chance include Chai Chidchob, father of Newin Chidchob, Patcharee Phetsawang, wife of Sophon Phetsawang, Wanrob Isarangkura na Ayudhaya, elder brother of Gen Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya, and Roongroj Thongsri, younger brother of Songsak Thongsri. Again they are linked to the ruling Thai Rak Thai.

Amid the political influence, some independent candidates are likely to squeeze their way through to the finishing line.

They include rural doctor Dr Krai Darbtham in Chiang Mai, Pol Gen Manoch Kraiwong, former commander of Police Region 9, in Surat Thani, and Dr Waemahadee Waedao, previously accused of being a member of the terrorist organisation Jemaah Islamiya, in Narathiwat.

The People's Network for Elections (P-Net) said vote buying still topped the list of complaints but prosecution was impossible because no one had filed a complaint with police

Source: Bangkok Post - 20 April 2006

[Jai Dee]

Royal Thai Police's report on electoral law violations yesterday

The Election Division under the Royal Thai Police has encapsulated the electoral law violations during yesterday's Senate election. A total of 127 cases have been filed, in which most of them deal with the sales of alcoholic beverages.

Pol. Col. Visut Ketmanee (วิสูตร เกษมณี), the Chief of the Election Division under the Royal Thai Police, has disclosed that 109 cases involves with the sales of alcoholic drinks, eight cases on the tearing of ballot papers, six on vote buying activities, two on illegitimate campaigning, and the other two on frauds of candidates’ qualifications. Meanwhile, there are two criminal offences, including the stealing of a Senator’s introduction card and the rupture of a ballot card.

11 unrest incidents took place in the three southernmost provinces yesterday, resulting in two dead police officers and eight injuries. In addition, three soldiers were wounded, one resident was killed, and 11 others were injured.

Pol. Col. Visut said he has coordinated with the Election Commissioners in providing tighter security during the re-election on April 23rd, especially in the Deep South.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 April 2006

[Plus]

I'd expect Constitution reform to touch on Senate as well, and so there will be new Senate elections shortly.

[jdinasia]

If I were to guess ... there will be a new General Election (both houses in about 6-9 months)

[Jai Dee]

Former terror suspect becomes a senator

A Muslim doctor once suspected of plotting terrorist strikes on foreign targets won a seat in the Senate yesterday after defeating his only competitor – the wife of an MP with alleged links to southern separatist militants.

Waemahadi Wae-dao, who was arrested in May 2003 on suspicion of belonging to the Jemaah Islamiyah terror network, won the Upper House seat for Narathiwat province by a landslide with 97,514 votes, according to unofficial results.

In June last year, the Bangkok Criminal Court cleared Waemahadi and three others of plotting a string of bomb attacks on western embassies and popular tourist sites in Thailand because of a lack of evidence.

Their lawyer, Somchai Neelaphaijit, vanished in March 2004 after accusing police of torturing Muslim detainees. He is missing and presumed dead.

After serving two years on remand, Waemahadi refused to countercharge the authorities and vowed to run for the 200-member Senate to help bring peace to his troubled homeland in the deep South, which has been ravaged by two years of separatist violence.

He thanked the people for their support and said he would do his utmost to protect them from the bloody unrest, which has claimed more than 1,200 lives since January 2004.

“I will push for more protection for the people so we can solve the problems in the southernmost provinces,” he said yesterday.

“I will create forums for the people of the South so the government can hear their opinions and suggestions and end this violence.” Waemahadi, who runs a medical clinic in Narathiwat, said he was worried he would let the public down, but promised he would do his best to make the situation better.

He has vowed to restore the peoples’ confidence in the judicial process, which has been severely dented as a result of the emergency decree in place in Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani, which permits gross violations of constitutional rights with no legal recourse.

Runner-up in Wednesday’s polls with 30,096 votes was Halimoh Utarasin, the wife of Areepen Utarasin, a Thai Rak Thai party list MP who was accused of plotting a daring weapons raid on a Narathiwat army base in 2004 – the event that triggered the current wave of violence.

Areepen and two other southern MPs, Den Tohmeena and Najmuddin Umar, were implicated in the January 4 heist, which saw militants execute four Buddhist soldiers before making off with some 400 M-16 assault rifles in less than 20 minutes.

Source: ThaiDay - 21 April 2006

[ratcatcher]

" HeHeHey! I'm running for S-s-senate Leader. Then I can join my friends at the t-t-ttrough."

Edited April 21, 2006 by ratcatcher

[Jai Dee]

EC to probe senators-elect who appeared on PAD stage

Some senators-elect, including those who addressed the rallies sponsored by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) may have breached the election law, says the Election Commission.

Election commissioner Parinya Nakchatri said yesterday his agency would inquire into the complaints that some senators-elect may have canvassed for support in public while appearing on stage in the recent rallies against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra that were organised by the PAD. Columnist and now senator-elect Nitiphum Nawarat is among those who appeared on stage.

The election law limits the senate candidates' familiarisation activities to putting up selfintroductory pos- Parinya: Looking into ters in designated complaints areas while the use of loudspeakers to publicise themselves is banned.

The appearances of individuals taking to the PAD stages prior to the April 19 senate poll who had now been elected senators must be looked into for any legal violations, Mr Parinya said.

He said the EC had obtained evidence against nearly one hundred senators-elect in Bangkok and upcountry.

Meanwhile, assistant police chief LtGen Chaiyan Maklam-thong said the five core leaders of the PAD must report to the police by April 28 after their request for a delay was denied.

Political activist Chalard Vorachat filed police complaints against the five PAD figures -- Sondhi Limthongkul, Piphop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk, Somkiat Pongpaiboon and Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang -- on charges that they posed a threat to democracy.

If they failed to appear as summoned, the police would consider issuing arrest warrants for them, the assistant chief said.

Source: Bangkok Post - 22 April 2006