A former mayor of the Ratchaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO), Vivat Nitikanchana, was ahead of his rival from the People’s party, Chairat Sak-Issarapong, by a wide margin in the mayoral election at about 8pm.
According to the unofficial and incomplete vote count, Vivat had 205,057 votes against Chairat’s 142,581 after about half of the ballots had been counted. While not a member, Vivat is supported by the Pheu Thai party.
Upon realising that he was leading by about 60,000 votes, Vivat thanked the people of Ratchaburi for their support and vowed to carry on with his unfinished work in the province.
Election Commission Chairman Itthiporn Boonpracong told the media this evening that he is satisfied with the voter turnout, which is expected to be about 75% compared to 68% four years ago. He said that the election was running smoothly and no irregularities have been reported so far.
He instructed election officials at the province’s 1,149 polling units to count the ballots one by one, so the people can see clearly to ensure transparency.
Earlier, he predicted the unofficial poll result would be known at about 8 pm. It is now looking more likely between 9pm and 10pm.
