Pending the Central Election Commission's official announcement of the result in 30 days, Sunday's unofficial result saw Thai Rak Thai candidate Wilawan Thammachart win with 7,724 votes, beating Democrat candidate Anantachat Buasuwan by 441 votes.

The death of 63-year-old Kaew yesterday could be another blow to the Democrats. Kaew was announ-ced dead at 4.50am from a blood infection at Bangkok's Central Hospital. The Phra Nakhon councillor was two days into a field trip in Shanghai when he suffered from breathing difficulties and chest pains and was rushed back to Thai-land. An ambulance picked him up from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 3am on Saturday.

Hospital director Surachai Sabmoke said Kaew suffered low blood pressure and lung oedema, and finally succumbed. He said Kaew had chronic lung tumour problems and had undergone many operations at the hospital.

Following the Abhitham funeral rites until Sunday at Makutka-sattayaram Temple, Kaew's royal-sponsored cremation ceremony will be held at 6pm on March 19, said his daughter Kankanit Haew-santati. She has decided to run for the Phra Nakhon by-election to continue her father's legacy in local politics.

Jeerawan Prasomsap

The Nation