As the sixyear term of Thailand's first elected Senate ends on Tuesday, 211 candidates from various professions have jumped into the race for the 18 available Bangkok seats on April 19. Despite having four more days to register, many candidates were waiting at the venue before it opened at 8.30am.

Some of the contenders are:

Academics: Asadang Panikabutr, Khwansuang Atibhodi, Dejudom Krairith, Surapong Jayanama, Artong Chumsai na Ayutthaya, Pramut Sutabutr, Prakij Vateesathokkij, Thaeching Siripanich and Kanin Boonsuwan.

Media and entertainment: Nitiphoom Naowarat, Boonyod Sukthinthai, Maitree Limpichart, Wittaya Supapornopas, Wisa Khanthap, Sombat Maethanee and Rith Leucha.

Politicians: Uthai Pimchaichon, Preecha Suwannatat, Pornthep Techapaiboon, Sombat Uthaisang, Siri Wangboonkerd, Thawee Kraikhub and Thinnawat Marukhapitak.

Relatives of politicians: Phanprapa Intharawittayanun, Arnutthachai Rattakul and Thana Benjathikul

Government officials: Phichit Rattakul, Samak Sundaravej, Sunthorn Saikhwan, Viroj Paoin, Passakorn Rakkul and Kriangsak Lohachala.

Former members of independent agencies: Vichien Wiriyaprasith, Suphatra Suphap and Narong Chalothorn.

Bangkok EC chairman Sanguan Liewmanomon told the candidates to ensure they had a clear understanding of the election law as they were not allowed to campaign in the fashion of Lower House candidates.

They could only "introduce" themselves to voters with cards, leaflets or billboards, he said, and the EC would disqualify contenders who broke the rules.

In the 2000 Senate poll, 265 contenders ran for the capital's 18 seats.

The Nation