"The New Politics Party, an offshoot of the People's Alliance for Democracy, yesterday decided to endorse Kittisak Rathaprasert as its electoral candidate for the July 25 by-election in Bangkok Constituency 6. "The party has fielded Kittisak in the by-election as confirmation of its readiness to contest the democratic race," acting party leader Somsak Kosaisuk said. Somsak said the by-election would be the first opportunity for his party to present its policies as a new choice for voters. . .
Suriyasai said the endorsement of Kittisak came after a lengthy debate on whether the party should field a candidate. "New Politics has decided to join the race because Kokaew Pikultong, who is a terrorist suspect, will contest the by-election under the Pheu Thai Party's banner," he said. . .He said the fielding of Kittisak would prove the party wanted to push for its policies instead of relying on individual popularity.
Kittisak ran but failed as an electoral candidate for Bangkok's Bang Sue district under the Democrat banner in the 1995 general election, he said. In the hustling for votes, the PAD is expected to take part in campaigning on Kittisak's behalf, he said. Commenting on his candidacy, Kittisak said he would campaign on a platform of promoting good people, rooting out corruption and defending the monarchy in order to advance the aspirations of the PAD."
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/...n-30132405.html
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PAD makes Bangkok race a three-party contest
Started by B.I.G., Jun 25 2010 10:10 AM
5 replies to this topic
#2
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Posted 25 June 2010 - 12:50 PM
It will be interesting to see how this three-way race goes, since it must be assumed that both the Democrat and PAD candidates will wrap themselves in the "defend the monarchy" flag in the heroic struggle against terrorism - and thus split the vote of the same "royalist" constituency.
It's interesting that Panich, the man the Democrats picked to run, is seen by many as the "right hand man" of Foreign Minister Kasit, who is generally viewed as "PAD's man" in the cabinet. If the crowd running the Democratic party right now thought that picking Panich would keep PAD out of the election, they were wrong. One has to wonder what phones may be ringing right now.
From what I have read, Constituency 6 was won by the Democrats in the last election, but just barely, and the area has apparently voted against Democrat candidates in Thaksin's past victories. If PAD and the Democrats end up competing for the same vote, the Pheu Thai candidate could win. While that might be good news for the red shirt movement, it could be bad news for the country if it forces Abhisit to make peace with PAD on Sondhi's terms, which is certainly not good news for the prospects of all those democratic reforms Abhisit keeps promising. Sondhi's autocratic politics are reactionary, at best, and his influence on national politics can only be seen as anti-democratic.
It's interesting that Panich, the man the Democrats picked to run, is seen by many as the "right hand man" of Foreign Minister Kasit, who is generally viewed as "PAD's man" in the cabinet. If the crowd running the Democratic party right now thought that picking Panich would keep PAD out of the election, they were wrong. One has to wonder what phones may be ringing right now.
From what I have read, Constituency 6 was won by the Democrats in the last election, but just barely, and the area has apparently voted against Democrat candidates in Thaksin's past victories. If PAD and the Democrats end up competing for the same vote, the Pheu Thai candidate could win. While that might be good news for the red shirt movement, it could be bad news for the country if it forces Abhisit to make peace with PAD on Sondhi's terms, which is certainly not good news for the prospects of all those democratic reforms Abhisit keeps promising. Sondhi's autocratic politics are reactionary, at best, and his influence on national politics can only be seen as anti-democratic.
#3
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Posted 25 June 2010 - 07:18 PM
QUOTE
One has to wonder what phones may be ringing right now.
"New Politics candidate Gen Kittisak Rathprasert on Friday unexpectedly announced his withdrawal from the July 25 by-election, saying he does not want to run against a "terrorist". Gen Kittisak announced on Thursday his acceptance of the resolution of the New Politics Party that he would stand in the by-election in Bangkok's constituency 6.
At a press conference today at the party headquarters, Gen Kittisak said he decided to withdraw after realising that Korkaew Pikulthong, a UDD leader charged with terrorism, would also be a contender for the seat, as the Puea Thai candidate. He said there had already been attempts to use the by-election to instigate another round of unrest.
He apologised People's Alliance for Democracy core members and the NPP executive committee for his about-face, saying he did not want the NPP to go down in history as having once contested an election against a "terrorist". The NPP would submit a letter to the Constitution Court and the House speaker asking whether the Election Commission's permission for a terrorist suspect to run in an election was in violation of the constitution, Gen Kittisak said.
Party secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila said the party would now not field a candidate in the by-election."
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1...-his-withdrawal
#4
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Posted 26 June 2010 - 07:23 AM
QUOTE
One has to wonder what phones may be ringing right now.
What do you suppose they had to promise Sondhi to get PAD out of the election ? This government has reached a point where it will give away the store to stay in business,
#5
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Posted 26 June 2010 - 09:54 AM
QUOTE
What do you suppose they had to promise Sondhi to get PAD out of the election ?
[attachmentid=887]
...Or somebody made General Kittisak an offer he couldn't refuse.
hehehe.....
Attached Images
#6
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Posted 28 June 2010 - 09:32 AM
"The Puea Thai Party is seeking a ruling from the Election Commission on whether the Democrat Party colluded with the New Politics Party in having the latter withdraw its candidate from the July 25 by-election in Bangkok.
Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said yesterday his party's legal team is investigating the withdrawal of Kittisak Ratprasert from the by-election in Bangkok's Constituency 6. The poll is being held to choose a replacement for former Democrat MP Thiwa Ngernyuang, who died of cancer on June 11.
Mr Prompong said he will lodge the petition with the EC tomorrow asking it to find out who will benefit from any collusion between the two parties and to find out if a politician with the initial "Ch" has asked New Politics to withdraw from the by-election.
Gen Kittisak's withdrawal will leave the contest in Constituency 6 a two-horse race between Democrat candidate Panich Vikitsreth, who has resigned as vice-minister for foreign affairs to run in the election, and Puea Thai candidate Korkaew Pikulthong.
The Criminal Court has granted the temporary release of Mr Korkaew, a leader of the recent red shirt protests who is being held on terrorism charges, so he can register his candidacy in the by-election.Puea Thai believes the New Politics Party's withdrawal from the race is intended to allow the Democrats to romp home to an easy victory over Puea Thai. . .
Puea Thai secretary-general Sunee Lueangwichit will meet Mr Korkaew at Bangkok Remand Prison today to seek his release so he can register his candidacy for the by-election. . . Puea Thai wants Mr Korkaew to wear a prisoner's uniform when he applies for registration, but the Corrections Department has told him this will not be possible. . .
Mr Chartchai said prison regulations prohibit Mr Korkaew from making audio or visual recordings for use in election campaigns and from addressing voters via videolink. The only exception is if the court releases him from prison temporarily to campaign for the by-election.
EC commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham said a plan by the red shirts to hold a concert to raise money to support Mr Korkaew's election campaign raises security issues.The emergency decree remains in effect and bans political gatherings of five people or more.The EC has no authority to allow any such concert. Ms Sodsri said Puea Thai must ask the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation for permission to hold the concert."
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/3937...llusion-in-poll
Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said yesterday his party's legal team is investigating the withdrawal of Kittisak Ratprasert from the by-election in Bangkok's Constituency 6. The poll is being held to choose a replacement for former Democrat MP Thiwa Ngernyuang, who died of cancer on June 11.
Mr Prompong said he will lodge the petition with the EC tomorrow asking it to find out who will benefit from any collusion between the two parties and to find out if a politician with the initial "Ch" has asked New Politics to withdraw from the by-election.
Gen Kittisak's withdrawal will leave the contest in Constituency 6 a two-horse race between Democrat candidate Panich Vikitsreth, who has resigned as vice-minister for foreign affairs to run in the election, and Puea Thai candidate Korkaew Pikulthong.
The Criminal Court has granted the temporary release of Mr Korkaew, a leader of the recent red shirt protests who is being held on terrorism charges, so he can register his candidacy in the by-election.Puea Thai believes the New Politics Party's withdrawal from the race is intended to allow the Democrats to romp home to an easy victory over Puea Thai. . .
Puea Thai secretary-general Sunee Lueangwichit will meet Mr Korkaew at Bangkok Remand Prison today to seek his release so he can register his candidacy for the by-election. . . Puea Thai wants Mr Korkaew to wear a prisoner's uniform when he applies for registration, but the Corrections Department has told him this will not be possible. . .
Mr Chartchai said prison regulations prohibit Mr Korkaew from making audio or visual recordings for use in election campaigns and from addressing voters via videolink. The only exception is if the court releases him from prison temporarily to campaign for the by-election.
EC commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham said a plan by the red shirts to hold a concert to raise money to support Mr Korkaew's election campaign raises security issues.The emergency decree remains in effect and bans political gatherings of five people or more.The EC has no authority to allow any such concert. Ms Sodsri said Puea Thai must ask the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation for permission to hold the concert."
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/3937...llusion-in-poll
