3,712 votes send non-TRT man to House
Manote Senachu, candidate of a little known party, becomes the first non-Thai Rak Thai party to win a seat in the election.
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A little short of 4,000 votes sent Manote Senachu to the House, making the freshman the only non-Thai Rak Thai Party MP - at least for the time being as tallying continues.
The native of the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat belongs to the little-known Khon Khoplodnee Party (Party of the People for Debt Forgiveness, PPDF), a name that tends to draw giggles rather than questions about political planks.
Manote yesterday was not clear on what had attributed to his victory - party platform, anti-government sentiment or just the party's catchy name. But the 37-year-old bachelor insisted that his campaign was "clean".
"My dream to be a politician has been fulfilled. I am so proud," he said.
His constituency's last incumbent, Democrat Apichat Karikanjana, called to congratulate him, he said.
The Democrats along with other former opposition parties boycotted the election.
Although not exactly a polished politician, Manote held his ground when bombarded with tough questions from the press.
Asked why he only received 3,712 votes when, according to his own estimate, his constituency boasted about 20,000 PPDF members, he had a ready answer.
"I think there was a lot of confusion on whether to support the [PPDF] party or go for the no-vote."
When asked how he felt about going down in history as the MP with perhaps the thinnest support ever - even lower than spoiled ballots, which reached over 7,000 in his constituency, he shot back: "I am proud. I am proud."
A student activist during his days at Ramkhamhaeng University, Manote insisted that he would give his all, even though he could not say for which side.
"I'm not sure if I will be part of the government or remain in the opposition. I'll ask the party leader."
Manote attracted 3,712 votes, defeating his only rival for the job, Thai Rak Thai's Chid Purisodom, who collected 3,033 votes. Abstainers numbered 36,878, while 7,771 invalid ballots were cast.
Manote has a master's in political science from Krirk University and has worked as a businessman and a consultant to a private company.
He also served as an assistant to Sukhothai MP Kusol Meethes for seven years.
Kritsana Chutisawaeng
The Nation
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