• 
• 

Published on October 28, 2007

The Democrat Party yesterday announced its initial line-up of candidates for Bangkok, which includes siblings of two key figures in the Council for National Security and the outgoing Surayud Chulanont Cabinet.

Sakonthee Phattiyakul, a young businessman and son of General Winai Phattiyakul, secretary-general of the Council for National Security and Defence Ministry permanent secretary, will run under the party's banner, as may Suwong or Pongsak Yodmani, both of whom are sons of Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit Yodmani.

Party sources  said Suwong or Pongsak may contest Bang Khen, Don Muang or Sai Mai, while Sakonthee's constituency is yet to be determined.

However, Suwong denied he would enter into politics, but noted that his younger brother, Pongsak, was interested.

In addition, Prapan Koonmee, who is expected to resign from the National Legislative Assembly, and former boxer Vichai Rachanont, an Olympic bronze medallist, will run in Bangkok.

The capital has a total of  36 constituency members of Parliament.

Democrat Party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon said it had determined 90 per cent of its candidates nationwide and was optimistic the full list would be ready before registration of candidates begins on November 7.

Due to its large number of seats, Bangkok is a major battlefield in which other parties appear to be less competitive than the Democrats.

The People Power Party (PPP), which succeeded the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has seen several of its former Bangkok members move to other parties, such as Pua Paendin.

However, it still holds an edge in the election of party-list members. Altogether there will be 80 party-list representatives plus another 400 constituency members.

Based on the current groupings of former members and candidates, analysts expect PPP to win the most party-list representatives, or between 35 and 38 seats.

PPP will be followed by the Democrat Party with 22 to 25 seats, Chat Thai with six or seven, Pua Paendin with five, Matchima Thippatai with four and Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana with three.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said he had approached Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong last week to persuade him to form an alliance.

"Even though Pracharaj may end up winning few House seats, this will not be an obstacle to joining the Democrats in the formation of the next coalition government," he said.

Suthep said he had asked Snoh to consider either fielding candidates under the Pracharaj banner or assigning them to run under the Democrat banner.

Reacting to Suthep's comments, Pua Paendin Party spokesman Wachiramon Kuna-kasem said he expected Snoh to move to his party rather than join forces with the Democrats.

"Negotiations are in progress, although I am not in a position to predict how many in the Snoh clique will join Pua Paendin," he said.

Snoh said he still had a week to finalise his next move.

"I will decide on what is best for my supporters," he said, hinting that he might retire if he could find a new home for Pracharaj veterans.

"Negotiations are in progress, although I am not in a position to predict how many in the Snoh clique will join Pua Paendin," he said.

Pracharaj secretary-general Suchart Bandasak said Snoh would not dissolve the Pracharaj Party but would find a new banner under which to field candidates who are relatives and allies.

These include Suchart and five or six former members from Sa Kaew, Snoh's stronghold.

Suchart said he believed Snoh would eventually lean towards an alliance with the Democrats.

The Chat Thai Party yesterday said the spat between deputy leader Chuwit Kamolvisit and leader Banharn Silapa-archa had blown over after Chuwit agreed to bury the hatchet.

The Nation