TRT & Democrats Register For City Election Battle

[Jai Dee]

TRT, Democrats register for city election battle

The upcoming Bangkok City Council election scheduled for July 23 looks set to be another battleground for the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) and Democrat parties as both are fielding candidates in almost every constituency.

At the Thai-Japan Youth Center in Din Daeng yesterday – the first day of registration – of the 133 candidates who applied to run in the election, 57 were from the TRT – one for each of the 57 constituencies across the city – and 54 were Democrats, leaving the remaining three constituencies in Bang Sue and Don Muang districts as straight fights between the Chat Thai party and the TRT.

TRT party deputy leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, who led a team of TRT senior officials, including deputy secretary-general Phumtham Vejchai, and executive member, Suranand Vejjajiva, along with a number of supporters, to give moral support to the TRT candidates, said that the core of the party’s election campaign is the resolution of the major problems in Bangkok: traffic congestion, flooding, garbage collection and environmental issues.

She added that the TRT candidates will certainly supervise the disbursement of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s budget, considered one of their main responsibilities.

“Our candidates will monitor and balance the BMA’s budget expenditures to ensure that the money is spent transparently and efficiently,” Khunying Sudarat said.

Democrat Spokesman Ong-art Klampaibul led his party’s candidates to the registration venue.

He told the media that they would support the BMA’s projects and coordinate with the Bangkok governor to eradicate problems and develop the capital.

“The party is concerned over the Election Commission’s ability to conduct this election fairly,” he said.

The last day for registration applications is June 23.

Source: ThaiDay - 20 June 2006

[Jai Dee]

More fresh faces set for Bangkok Council

The run-up to next month's Bangkok Council election may not have generated a lot of public interest so far, but the atmosphere at the first day of registration yesterday morning was lively with several famous people applying to become candidates.

Key figures from the Democrat and Thai Rak Thai parties were among more than 1,000 supporters who showed up as the prospective city councillors lodged applications at the Thai-Japanese Youth Centre.

Thai Rak Thai fielded 34 first-time candidates, and 23 former hopefuls. Among these, the spotlight was on newcomer and well-known actor and singer Amarin Simaroj. The younger brother of party deputy spokesman Pimuk will run in his brother's political base, the Bang Phlat constituency.

Also for Thai Rak Thai, Puwanart Kunpalin, younger brother of former MP Puwanida, will run in Wang Thong Lang, his sister's former base.

The Democrats, meanwhile, will field popular comedian Sapha Srisawat, better known by his stage name of "Dee Dokmadan", which should make for a colourful campaign in Huai Khwang.

Some former councillors from both major parties have decided not to stand again so they can contest the October 15 general election.

A total of 133 candidates applied to contest the councillors' election on the first day of registration yesterday, officials said. Thai Rak Thai registered 57 candidates yesterday, while the Democrats fielded 54 and the Chat Thai Party fielded two.

Thai Rak Thai deputy leader Sudarat Keyuraphan said the party did not expect to wrest control of the council from the Democrats. "We will do our best," she said.

Rather than pushing for all-out victory, Thai Rak Thai is campaigning on a promise that its candidates will serve as a check for the Democrat-dominated Bangkok Council.

A Thai Rak Thai source said the party was well aware its popularity in Bangkok had fallen in recent years, but was confident its candidates would capture some seats.

Meanwhile, registration for District Council seats began at the same time, with some 546 candidates applying on the first day yesterday.

Among these were 247 Democrats, 241 from Thai Rak Thai and seven Chat Thai Party candidates.

Registration for both the Bangkok Council and District Council elections will continue until Friday. Both polls will be held on July 23.

Source: The Nation - 20 June 2006

[Jai Dee]

Supporters of candidates vying for Bangkok and district council seats gather at the Thai-Japanese Youth Centre as registration begins yesterday.

Source: The Nation - 20 June 2006