BANGKOK ELECTIONS
PM's face not a selling point
Unlike their Democrat rivals, TRT's hopefuls in the capital have shunned photos of party leaders on campaign posters
While Democrat campaign materials proudly display images of party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin, most Thai Rak Thai hopefuls contesting this month's municipal elections are relying on credibility to win voters. In the run-up to the July 23 elections for district and Bangkok councillors, candidates are papering the city with campaign posters and billboards. But only a few Thai Rak Thai hoardings feature candidate images alongside deputy party leader Sudarat Keyuraphan. She is in charge of the party's Bangkok offensive. A survey by The Nation found no campaign advertising featuring pictures of Thai Rak Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra. Sudarat said the party did not expect to win control of the Bangkok Council from the Democrats, and was campaigning on a promise its candidates would serve as a check on the Democrat-dominated council. Thai Rak Thai campaigner Pairote Suwanchwee said party leader Thaksin separated local and national politics, to which he gave more importance. "Bangkok councillors are people in contact with local residents and act as a link between the community and the government," Pairote said. With the Bangkok governor a Democrat, Thai Rak Thai is emphasising its role as a minority with a loud voice. The official Thai Rak Thai website has a small graphic link to a list of its district and Bangkok councillor candidates. On the other hand, the Democrat Party website features a large graphic link to its candidates, with a bold image of Abhisit and Apirak. The link is featured prominently on the site, sporting the slogan "Love our district, Love our Bangkok". The Democrat Party will launch uniform campaign posters for all candidates soon, according to Bangkok campaign chief MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra. In the April general elections, party materials carried pictures of Abhisit and Apirak. In the local elections, these two will once again be at the heart of the campaign. Celebrity candidates will again feature in the polls. The Democrats have a well-known candidate in comedian Sapha Srisawat, better known by his stage name Dee Dokmadan. Thai Rak Thai is also fielding celebrity candidates like actor and singer Amarin Simaroj and singer Puwanart Kunpalin. Entertainer Billy Ogan is standing as an independent. Parties are hoping for a better turnout than the 36 per cent achieved four years ago.
Kornchanok Raksaseri The Nation
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