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Published on November 6, 2007

Most major political parties yesterday revealed their lists of candidates to contest the proportionate vote in the December 23 election, with registration of candidates from tomorrow.

Competition appears to be hotting up in the capital, where party leaders and key figures are standing.

Three party leaders will contest Zone 6, which consists of Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan. They are Abhisit Vejjajiva, of the Democrat Party; Samak Sundaravej, of the People Power Party (PPP); Prachai Leophairatana, of Matchima Thipataya.

The PPP is also represented in Zone 6 by Chalerm Yoobam-rung; Gen Ruangroj Mahasara-nonda, former armed forces supreme commander; Ming-kwan Saengsuwan, former MCOT president; Jarupong Ruangsuwan; and Chat Kuldi-lok, former Central Investigation Bureau commissioner.

Other Democrats to contest the zone will be Charoen Kanthawong, MR Sukhum-bhand Paribatra, Pussadee Tamthai, and Prakob Jirakiti.

Chat Thai Party's Yutthasak Sasiprabha and acting party leader Korn Dabbaransi will also run in zone six.

Registration begins tomorrow and ends on Sunday for the proportionate-vote candidates contesting 80 House seats in eight zones throughout the country. Ten seats are up for grabs in each zone.

The Democrats, PPP, Chat Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties all made their lists public yesterday.

Chalerm said he had obtained the green light from London. He was referring to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has reportedly attained control of the new political party.

Chalerm will remain with the PPP even though his two sons, who are aspiring MPs, will not be allowed to run under the party's banner. He explained yesterday it would do him more harm than good to leave the party.

Thaksin has lived in exile in London since his government was overthrown during the military coup in September 2006.

The PPP was taken over by politicians from the Thai Rak Thai Party, which was founded by Thaksin and disbanded in May at the order of the Constitution Tribunal.

The PPP has placed key figures at the top of its lists in all zones. Party secretary general Surapong Suebwonglee will lead the list in Zone 4, which makes up Buri Ram, Surin, Srisaket, Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon, and Roi Et. Surapong is followed on the PPP list by Chai Chidchob.

In Zone 1 - which consists of Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Lampang, Lamphun, Sukhothai, Tak, and Kamphaeng Phet - deputy party leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat will lead the list followed by Sompong Amornwiwat, and Somchai Wongsawat, Thaksin's brother-in-law.

Thaksin's spokesman, Noppadon Pattama, and Watana Muangsook are on the list for Zone 5, which consists of Sa Kaew, Nakhon Ratchasima, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Rayong, Chanthaburi, and Trat.

In Zone 8 - made up of Surat Thani, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Trang, Phattalung, Satun, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, will feature Wadah faction member Areephen Uttrasin.

Some zones are expected to be fierce contests. The Democrats will be represented in Zone 5 by former People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) members Kraisak Choonhavan and Somkiate Pongpaiboon. They will be up against Thaksin's strong defender; Noppadon. Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana will be represented in Zone 5 by Poompirom Liptapanlop, wife of banned TRT member Suwat Liptapanlop.

Chuan Leekpai, chief adviser for the Democrats, will lead the party-list in Zone 8, followed by Banyat Bantadtan, Trairong Suwankhiri, and Jurin Laksanavisit. Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban will contest in a constituency in Surat Thani.

The Democrats will be led by former Senate speaker Manoonkrit Roopkachorn in Zone 7, consisting of Ranong, Chumpon, Prachuab Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi, Ratchaburi, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Nakhon Pathom, Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Chainat, Sing Buri, Angthong, Ayutthaya, and Saraburi.

Most of the candidates on Matchima Thipataya's list are from the camp of banned TRT executive member Somsak Thepsuthin and former PAD members. Somsak's wife and party secretary general, Anongwan, will lead the list in Zone 1. Somsak's personal secretary, Banyin Tangpakorn, will lead in Zone 2. Deputy party leader and former PAD member Karun Sai-ngam will top the list in Zone 4. Prachai Leophairatana's brother, Pramual, will lead in Zone 5.

For Chat Thai, party leader Banharn Silapa-archa will run in the constituency system in Suphan Buri. In Zone 7, which is Banharn's strong base, his daughter Kanchana will head the list. Nikorn Chamnong will lead the list in Zone 8.

Anek Laothammatas, deputy leader of Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana, is expected to represent his party in Zone 1. Secretary general Pradit Pattaraprasit is expected to lead Zone 2.

The Nation