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Published on November 13, 2007

Bangkok will be a fiercely contested battleground in the election next month. Indeed, many leading candidates are bound to suffer disappointment, as their best may not be enough to get them elected.

With the largest bloc of votes, the capital's 12 constituencies offer 36 House seats up for grabs via direct voting. Another 10 seats will be allocated via proportionate votes cast in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan.

All major parties will compete in a no-holds-barred fight to woo voters. Even if ballots are spread evenly among the parties and candidates, the stark reality is there can only be three winning candidates per Bangkok constituency.

Arch-rivals the Democrats and the People Power Party are likely to dominate campaign publicity. Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and PPP leader Samak Sundaravej will need to work overtime to solicit proportionate votes for themselves and their party-list candidates.

Abhisit and Samak may end up sharing the 10 party-list seats. This will not bode well for two other party leaders, Prachai Leophairatana of Matchima Thipataya and Pramuan Ruchanaseree of Prachamati. Prachai and Pramuan are at risk of being defeated as party-list candidates for Bangkok.

In direct voting, the Democrats and their PPP rivals are expected to dominate the race. The Chart Thai, Puea Pandin, Matchima and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana candidates may grab a few seats but none will be a major force.

All parties are aware it will be a close race in Bangkok, so they are fielding one or two strong candidates per three-seat constituency. This is an indication that none of the parties expects to win every seat in a given constituency.

For Bangkok's constituency 1 (Dusit, Phra Nakhon, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Samphan-thawong, Bang Rak, Pathum Wan and Ratchathewi), four top contenders have emerged. They are the Democrats' Apimongkol Sonakul and Jermmas Chuengsirilert and two from Matchima - Krissada Sajjakul and Prachuab Ungphakorn.

The four are former MPs fighting re-election bids in their respective strongholds. The PPP has opted for low-key campaigning with three newcomers in this constituency.

In constituency 2 (Sathon, Bang Kho Laem, Yan Nawa, Khlong Toei and Wattana), two former Democrat MPs, Korn Chatikavanij and Somkiart Chanthawanit, are seeking to get re-elected and the PPP is fielding former MP Pongpisut Jintasophon. Other candidates are all newcomers.

In constituency 3 (Din Daeng, Huai Kwang, Wang Thonglang and Lat Phrao), two PPP candidates, Phuwanita Khunphlin and Yuranan Phamornmontri, are fighting for re-election while the Democrats have a strong team led by party executive Phiraphan Saliratvipak.

In constituency 4 (Bang Sue, Lak Si, Chatuchak and Phaya Thai), the PPP has two former MPs, Supamas Issarapakdi and Chalermchai Wicharana running against two from Matchima - Thawatchai Sajjakul and Pisit Bannakorn. The Democrat candidates are newcomers and include Sakolthee Phattiyakul, son of junta secretary General Winai.

In constituency 5 (Bang Khen, Sai Mai and Don Muang), Chat Thai's Janista Liewchalermwong is fighting to protect her Don Muang stronghold while PPP's Anusorn Panthong will woo Bang Khen constituents to be re-elected.

Democrat newcomer Kongsak Yodmani is expected to compete on the coattails of his father, Tourism and Sports Minister Suvit.

In constituency 6 (Nong Chok, Khlong Sam Wa, Kan Na Yao and Bueang Kum), all candidates but one are newcomers. Matchima candidate Siri Wangbunkoed has switched from the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party. Puea Pandin will field popular figure Nithipoom Navarat. The Democrats and the PPP have top academics and local leaders as candidates.

In constituency 7 (Bang Kapi, Saphan Sung, Min Buri and Lat Krabang), the race is expected to be a PPP-Democrat dogfight. Two former MPs, Mongkol Kimsoonchan and Wichan Meechainan, will try to keep out Democrat newcomers such as Praphan Khoonmee and Samran Rodphet, both anti-Thaksin campaigners.

In constituency 8 (Suan Luang, Prawet, Bang Na and Phra Khanong), the PPP team led by former MP Watthana Sengpairoh will try to fight off rivals from the Democrats headed by Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich and others from Ruam Jai led by former Bangkok governor Bhichit Rattakul. Puea Pandin also has a strong team led by former MP Phatarasak Osathanugrah.

In constituency 9 (Thon Buri, Khlong San, Bangkok Yai and Chom Thong), three Democrat newcomers will try to defeat three former MPs under the PPP banner.

In constituency 10 (Rat Burana, Thung Khru, Bang Khunthien and Bang Bon), the PPP candidates are former MPs Sakol Muangsiri and Suwat Wannasirikul, plus newcomer Charuwong Ruangsuwan, while the Democrats have two new faces led by veteran Thawil Praison.

In constituency 11 (Phasi Charoen, Bang Khae and Nong Khaem), the PPP has three former MPs defending their seats while the three Democrats are seeking to improve their showing following a defeat in the 2005 general election.

In constituency 12 (Bang Phlat, Bangkok Noi, Taling Chan and Thawee Watthana), Democrat spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon is a lead contender for one seat. The two others will be hard fought.

Avudh Panananda

 The Nation