Pheu Thai party’s candidate Jadet Jantar defeated Natachanon Chanaburanasak of the People’s party in the by-election in Constituency 1 of Phitsanulok on Sunday, in what is viewed as the first election victory by the ruling party in this northern provinces in many years.
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin of the Pheu Thai party said in Phitsanulok Sunday night that Jadet’s triumph by a wide margin of more than 6,000 votes demonstrates that the people in the province recognise Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
“This is not a victory in just Phitsanuloke, but people in the whole country are looking up to the prime minister as their hope,” said Somsak among several key party members shortly after the completion of the unofficial vote count.
Somsak told the media that the Pheu Thai party had not won an election in Phitsanulok for about two decades, adding that the election victory shows that the people in Phitsanulok have trust in the prime minister as he thanked the people for voting for the party’s candidate.
Jadet disclosed that the prime minister called to congratulate him, adding that he will do his job to the best of his abilities.
Natachanon of the People’s party conceded the defeat and thanked the people in Phitsanuloke for giving him about 30,000 votes.
He said although he did not win the election, he is still willing to serve people in the province.
People’s party secretary-general Sarayuth Jailak said that the party will carry on to strengthen its base and prepare for the next general election.
