The by-election in Constituency 8 of Thailand’s southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat this Sunday is predicted to be a fierce contest between three coalition parties and the opposition People’s party.
Three coalition parties, Democrat, Bhumjaithai and Kla Dham, have been campaigning vigorously against each other and against the opposition People’s party to win the only seat up for grabs, which was left vacant by the disqualification of Bhumjaithai MP Mukdawan Luangseenin for election fraud.
Bhumjaithai is fielding Mukdawan’s husband, Sawai and has sent one of its deputy leaders, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, and Warin Channuwong, who recently won the Provincial Administrative Organisation’s mayoral election against a member of the Democrat’s Dechochai clan, to campaign.
The Democrat party, meanwhile, is fielding veteran politician Chinnavorn Boonyakiat, who recorded an impressive nine parliamentary wins, before being defeated in the last election. Former party leader Chuan Leekpai, and a few veteran Democrats, have been campaigning for him, hoping to stage a political comeback.
This time, however, Chinnavorn will have to run against his own son-in-law, Kongkiat Katesombat, who is now standing under the Kla Dham party banner, led by Thammanat Prompao.
For the People’s party, Natthakit Yooduang is standing. Its party leader, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, and a deputy leader Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, have been in the province, vigorously campaigning in the hope of establishing a political foothold in this southern province.
The other two candidates hail from lesser known parties, namely Kawee Kraithong of the Phrom party and Phisanu Rotmalee of the New Alternative party.
