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Published on October 19, 2007

The party said its campaign was being harassed by police and the military. Soldiers from Phya Meng Rai military camp and Mai Sai District Police Station had set up checkpoints on the Chiang Rai-Mae Sai road and allowed traffic through only one lane. They also wrote down names of passengers and drivers using the road.

The party was refused permission to use state premises such as a sports stadium as a campaign stage from the Chiang Rai governor. Finally they got the nod from Chiang Rai Rajabhat University. Their request for the use of mobile toilets also met with telephone threats.

Chakrapob Penkair and Chavarin Laksanavisit focused their campaign speeches on praising Thaksin for his achievements. Chaturon Chaisang, a former Thai Rak Thai party leader said northern people must vote for People Power if they wanted the populist policies of the former premier's party to continue.

"If you vote for the Democrats, Thaksin will never be allowed to return,'' he said.

People Power leader Samak Sundaravej said if voters give his party their mandate in the next election, it would amend the 2007 Constitution because it was designed to facilitate victory for one particular party.

The Nation