BURNING ISSUE A TRIUMPH FOR MONEY, INFLUENCE
Without a provision for media access, the Senate campaign ban hinders neutral, less wealthy candidates
PROFILES OF SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES A small-budget success
TV host Boonyord Sooktinthai, one of the dark horses in the Senate race, may not only be the youngest of all senators but also the one running on the smallest budget.
Former terror suspect wins Narathiwat
Former terror suspect and respected community leader Dr Waemahadi Wae-dao won an overwhelming majority of votes in Narathiwat, while squabbling among candidates fighting for the same support base in Pattani resulted in Anusart Suwanmongkhon coming out ahead in the Senate election.
Fearless fighter triumphs again
Her plump and cheeky face has become the symbol of defiance against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Nitipoom waltzes in
A former police officer who decided to leave law enforcement and take up a scholarship to study history in Moscow is among the country's newest senators.
Poruethai loses despite name
Although Chiang Mai people are familiar with the Shinawatra clan, Poruethai Shinwatra, Thaksin's sister-in-law, failed in her bid to win a Senate seat.
Sombati ready for new role
"If Arnold Schwarzenegger won votes to be governor in America, why can't I do something good for Thailand by being elected senator?" said 67-year-old movie star Sombati Medhanee on Wednesday night after being elected a senator in Bangkok.
TRT wants election of 3 senators to be nullified
The Thai Rak Thai Party yesterday called for the disqualification of three senators-elect from Bangkok on grounds they solicited votes at anti-Thaksin Shinawatra rallies in the months before the election.
Cabinet welcomes Thaksin
Cabinet members yesterday turned out in full force to welcome back outgoing Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra upon his return from a week-long vacation in England and the United States.
VOTING IN THE SOUTH Not enough people left
More than 4,500 election staff poised to quit after 3 killed in bomb blast
