Ousted Pian back in the Phuket race for Patong mayor
Phuket Gazette


Patong mayoral candidates Pian Keesin (left) and Chalermluck Kebsab arrived early to register for the election. Photo: Kritsada Mueanhawong

PHUKET: -- Former Patong Mayor Pian Keesin, recently found guilty of vote fraud, is back on the battlefield for the chance to reclaim his position as leader of Phuket’s premier party town.

Registration opened yesterday for Patong Mayor potentials and municipality council members amid a crowd of supporters.

So far, Mr Pian has only one opponent, former Phuket MP Chalermluck Kebsab. Registration will remain open to candidates until Monday at 4:30pm.

Mr Pian was suspended from his post in September last year (story here). He was found guilty of vote fraud earlier this month, but the court issued him a “yellow card”, allowing him to run for re-election (story here).

In accordance with Election Commission (EC) rules, any candidates who arrive before registration opens on the first day are entitled to draw numbers for the opportunity to win the “Lucky Number 1” slot on the ballot.

Ms Chalermluck, joined by her Patong Fa Mai (New Sky Patong) party supporters, drew the coveted number “1”, while Mr Pian, backed by his Rak Patong (Love Patong) team, drew number “2”.

Registration also opened yesterday for hopefuls wanting to fill the four vacant spots on the Patong Municipality Council, said Patong Municipality Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Poonsak Naksena, who is acting as the Patong Municipality Election Director.

Nine candidates have registered so far.

“Two members from District 1, Praset Phatkor and Narong Cheuayuan, as well as one member from District 2, Weerapot Iabsab, received ‘red cards’ from the court for importing voters. These council spots are now vacant and the previous members cannot run for re-election,” said Mr Poonsak.

“However, Weerawit Kurasombut from District 3 received a ‘yellow card’. He has applied for re-election into the council for District 3.”

Five candidates are in the running so far for two available seats in District 1. Two candidates have registered for the District 2 seat and one candidate in addition to Mr Weerawit has registered for the seat in District 3.

The two mayoral candidates took the opportunity yesterday to highlight their objectives as mayor, if they were to be elected.

Mr Pian vowed to resume his hard work as mayor if re-elected.

“Our problems cannot be solved in one day. I will continue to push hard to make Patong a better place,” said Mr Pian.

“My previous and future actions as mayor will prove my words. We hope that people will vote for me and allow me to continue working for a better future.”

Ms Chalermluck voiced the major issues she would attempt to conquer if chosen as mayor, and urged Patong to give her a chance to make things better.

“It now depends on the people of Patong to move the town toward a better future. I cannot do it alone, I need a hand from the people,” she said.

More than 60 per cent of eligible voters are expected to show up for the April 26 election.

“Patong has about 12,000 registered voters. We are expecting a close race next month,” said Mr Poonsak.

The election will usher in an alcohol ban specifically for Patong, which will start at 6pm the night before and end at midnight the day of the election.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2014/Ousted-Pian-back-in-the-Phuket-race-for-Patong-mayor-27902.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2014-03-21

Khun Pian - representing only himself, and standing for everything that is wrong on Phuket.

This can only happen in Thailand.

Found guilty of vote fraud, suspended from his post and he is allowed to run again for mayor.

Amazing Thailand and your laws.

This guy could be the poster child for "Government Gangster" if he wanted.

>>“Our problems cannot be solved in one day. I will continue to push hard to make Patong a better place,” said Mr Pian.

“My previous and future actions as mayor will prove my words. We hope that people will vote for me and allow me to continue working for a better future.”

Is this guy living in a parallel universe? What good has he done, besides line his and his cronies pockets? Infrastructure is broken, Patong bay is polluted, no parking for the general public etc.

Patong beach back in the early 80's was my favourite place in Thailand, today it looks like shit, but when you let gangsters running the place what to expect, really sad story.

Chalermluck....nice name

And the office goes to; the highest bidder. Really a disgrace that Pian is allowed to run again. But then again I moved away from Patong in 2005… Good luck to Chalermluck Kebsab! I really hope she wins.

Now is the time for the people of Phuket to show the whole of Thailand that they do not allow corruption anymore !

But I fear the worse.

I can't imagine he would loose. He commands too much respect (fear) in Phuket. Didn't he truck in the voters on the last election. Very creative man.

Now is the time for the people of Phuket to show the whole of Thailand that they do not allow corruption anymore !

But I fear the worse.

You jest - they are all complicit in the corruption as they all expect to be paid for their vote, I hear at least 3,000 baht expected/vote. The days of 500 baht/vote are long long gone.

one of Sutheps mates

Now is the time for the people of Phuket to show the whole of Thailand that they do not allow corruption anymore !

But I fear the worse.

You jest - they are all complicit in the corruption as they all expect to be paid for their vote, I hear at least 3,000 baht expected/vote. The days of 500 baht/vote are long long gone.

The price of power in Thailand, and I don't mean electric, has certainly risen in recent years.

It wasn't so long ago that 200 baht and a BBQ with some lao kao could buy you the position.

Our problems cannot be solved in one day. I will continue to push hard to make Patong a better place, said Mr Pian.

Or in 20 years of corruption... oh well he'll win the tuk tuk mafia vote hands down...

Our problems cannot be solved in one day. I will continue to push hard to make Patong a better place, said Mr Pian.

Or in 20 years of corruption... oh well he'll win the tuk tuk mafia vote hands down...

And whilst the tuk-tuk mafia continue to vote for him, the tourist continue to vote with their baht, elsewhere.

And whilst the tuk-tuk mafia continue to vote for him, the tourist continue to vote with their baht, elsewhere.

The problem with your argument is that there are still (charter) plane loads of newbie tourists arriving every day, with large coaches supplied to ferry them about. These newbies are not confronted with the Tuk Tuk issues. Phuket tourist is flourishing with a very different type of tourist compared with the 'good old' days of 2 or 3 years ago with the free-er spending independent traveler.

And whilst the tuk-tuk mafia continue to vote for him, the tourist continue to vote with their baht, elsewhere.

The problem with your argument is that there are still (charter) plane loads of newbie tourists arriving every day, with large coaches supplied to ferry them about. These newbies are not confronted with the Tuk Tuk issues. Phuket tourist is flourishing with a very different type of tourist compared with the 'good old' days of 2 or 3 years ago with the free-er spending independent traveler.

A fair point, LIK., and I agree.

I will simply ask members to answer this question, "When's the last time you had a drink at a bar and sat next to a Russian, Chinese or Indian tourist?

Enough said.

I saw a lot of Russians in Big C buying lunch/dinner the other day, yet again.

The numbers may be up, but the baht is down from these tourists.

No doubt you won't see Chinese and Indians at bars or even restaurants. but I see plenty of Russians at restaurants, don't know about bars as i don't frequent bars. But my wild guess is that there are loads of Russians in the bars

He is sooooooooooooooooo huggable!

And whilst the tuk-tuk mafia continue to vote for him, the tourist continue to vote with their baht, elsewhere.

The problem with your argument is that there are still (charter) plane loads of newbie tourists arriving every day, with large coaches supplied to ferry them about. These newbies are not confronted with the Tuk Tuk issues. Phuket tourist is flourishing with a very different type of tourist compared with the 'good old' days of 2 or 3 years ago with the free-er spending independent traveler.

A fair point, LIK., and I agree.

I will simply ask members to answer this question, "When's the last time you had a drink at a bar and sat next to a Russian, Chinese or Indian tourist?

Enough said.

I saw a lot of Russians in Big C buying lunch/dinner the other day, yet again.

The numbers may be up, but the baht is down from these tourists.

The F.I.T 's are the holt grail of hoteliers.... and as rare as unicorns now!