TotallyOz Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 The Puea Thai Party has ridden to a major victory in the Sakon Nakhon by-election on the back of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The rival Bhumjaithai Party was humbled before the popularity of the former prime minister in the northeastern province yesterday. Just 90 minutes after counting began at 4pm, with Puea Thai candidate Anurak Boonson ahead with a healthy lead over rival Pitak Chansri, Bhumjaithai Party leader Chavarat Charnvirakul called a press conference to concede defeat. The unofficial results released last night after all votes were counted showed Mrs Anurak sweeping all five districts in Constituency 3, winning 103,277 votes to 47,300 votes for Mr Pitak. "I accept that Thaksin's phone-in addresses to those kamnans, village heads and community leaders played a crucial role in helping Puea Thai win today's election," Mr Chavarat was quoted by Thai News Agency as saying well before all votes were counted. Thaksin addressed supporters in Sakon Nakhon's Ban Muang, Charoen Sin, Kham Ta Kla, Sawang Daen Din and Song Dao districts by telephone during the campaign. "Thaksin fever is what we cannot do anything about," Bhumjaithai spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said. "They've tried to convince the voters Thaksin is the real leader of Puea Thai." TNA said Bhumjaithai had lodged a complaint against Thaksin's involvement in Puea Thai's campaign. A defiant Bhumjaithai deputy leader Boonjong Wongtrairat was quoted as saying the results of this by-election did not guarantee victories for Puea Thai over Bhumjaithai. Anurak Boonson of the Puea Thai Party celebrates her victory. CHANAT KATANYU "This election is neither a benchmark for the result of every election to come in Isan [Northeast provinces] or a gauge of any party's popularity in this region," Mr Boonjong said. "This is just the beginning and we have to work harder [to win]." Chalerm Yubamrung, a key Puea Thai figure, was quick to claim yesterday's victory over Bhumjaithai. He announced his party had won just 30 minutes after the counting had begun. But he conceded the by-election was a tougher fight than in past elections. Mr Chalerm, who led the Puea Thai campaign in the by-election, said his party had won because northeasterners still love Thaksin and his efforts to resolve poverty in the region when he was prime minister. The Bangkok MP expected Puea Thai to win any poll it contests pushing the Thaksin issue. "Yes, of course ... I've always said the people still love Thaksin. This is a victory of the people and it will show the world that the people still love Thaksin," he said when asked about the implications of the outcome yesterday. Puea Thai will come up against the Chart Thai Pattana Party next, in a Si Sa Ket by-election being held this coming weekend. Mrs Anurak said Thaksin had called to congratulate her since before the vote count began. Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said the Sakon Nakhon by-election was satisfactory. He said the estimated turnout was between 60% and 70% and his office had received only seven complaints. Most of the complaints concerned the illegal transportation of voters to the polling booths in the advance vote last weekend and the EC expects to conclude its investigations within a month. The EC should be able to endorse the Sakon Nakhon by-election within a week. Meanwhile, about 11,100 voters turned out yesterday in Si Sa Ket to cast their vote in the advance vote before the by-election in Constituency 1 this coming Sunday. Leaflets containing messages attacking Bhumjaithai's de facto leader, Newin Chidchob, as betraying Thaksin were reported to have been disseminated in areas of the constituency. A similar tactic was used in Sakon Nakhon before the lead-up to that by-election. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1890...-by-a-landslide Quote
Bob Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 Getting 68% of the vote is a landslide (or, in the vernacular, a thumping). Just about the same percentage that Shinawatra won in the last general election before the coup. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 Why on earth the government of this country permits a convicted felon on the run to convey his views personally - and presumably his cash - to influence an election comes under GB's "I don't get it" list. Quote
Gaybutton Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 Why on earth the government of this country permits a convicted felon on the run to convey his views personally Until they can apprehend him, what can they do to stop him? Quote
PattayaMale Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 Until they can apprehend him, what can they do to stop him? Arrest those they know have talked to him or taken money and charge them with aiding and abetting a felon Quote
Guest lvdkeyes Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 Arrest those they know have talked to him or taken money and charge them with aiding and abetting a felon Does that apply in Thailand? Quote
Gaybutton Posted June 22, 2009 Posted June 22, 2009 Does that apply in Thailand? I believe it does, but I don't see how that would do very much to stop Thaksin. Sure, the people who helped him might have a problem, but I can't visualize Thaksin caring about that or even helping them with bail money and legal fees. Quote
Bob Posted June 23, 2009 Posted June 23, 2009 Arrest those they know have talked to him or taken money and charge them with aiding and abetting a felon By talking to him or even receiving his money (if that's the case), they're not aiding and abetting in any normal sense of that crime. They'd have to be assisting him to commit a crime either before, during, or after the fact. I suppose if somebody could prove they were helping him hide from the law, there might be a thin case of aiding and abetting. Shinawatra's conviction relates to the Bangkok land (auction) deal and conviction of that doesn't mean he forfeits his freedom of speech rights. Even if he was in jail, he could still say what he thought with impunity (although, of course, it'd only be on visiting days....hehe). Quote