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Published on January 18, 2008

Although the People Power Party was handed the largest number of red and yellow cards - disqualifying winning candidates - following the general election, it expects to emerge from the new elections with a similar number of seats secured on December 23.

It also expects to win seats where Democrat candidates were yellow carded - suspended but allowed to contest ballot re-runs.

The PPP is looking to fill 233 seats in the new Parliament.

By-elections held this past Sunday show People Power's strength. It emerged victorious in three seats in Nakhon Ratchasima where its candidates had been yellow carded, and these members have now been endorsed by the Election Commission.

Yellow cards do not appear to be a serious problem for the PPP. Most of their winners who were forced to run again for probable poll violations came from the North and Northeast, which are party strongholds. Also, the party's belief that it has a strong chance of forming the core of the next government has helped its candidates.

This has allowed it to negotiate with its likely coalition partners to secure seats where candidates have been red carded, and banned from contesting re-elections.

In some constituencies where PPP candidates were not disqualified from running again, its coalition partners agreed not to run in ballot re-runs, creating a two-horse race - People Power versus the Democrats. Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, for example, stayed out of the PPP's way in Nakhon Ratchasima, even though it had considerable support there.

Of the 16 yellow cards dished out to the PPP, it has already retaken three seats, and is bullish about its chances in by-elections this Sunday.

It is confident, too, of taking seats where Democrat candidates had victories overturned by the commission. It can thank a perception it will be the core party of a coalition government - provided the courts do not rule against it. The Democrats are fettered by the perception they will be the parliamentary opposition.

The PPP hopes to steal a march on the Democrats in Constituency 1 of Nakhon Nayok. PPP took one of its two seats in December. Its fourth-placed candidate may have a chance to pip Democrat Charnchai Issarasenarak in the new election.

Charnchai was 13,000 votes ahead of the next-best-ranked PPP hopeful, but with the help of the third-placed Matchima Thipataya candidate, it can be done.

In Phetchabun's Constituency 1, two of the three seats have been endorsed, with People Power and Matchima Thipataya winning one each. Democrat Sutas Chansaengsri ran third, but was yellow carded. The PPP now holds high hopes of taking the third seat in the by-election.

In Prachin Buri, Democrat Yaowalak To-anan polled 73,000 votes for fourth. But, Yaowalak's chances of doing better on January 27 have slimmed.

This is because PPP's Suthichai Charungpirawong, who ranked seventh with 43,000 votes, could pick up the votes of disqualified Matchima Thipataya candidate Sunthorn Wilawan.

A source, who asked not to be named, said Sunthorn "agreed to transfer his votes to the PPP in exchange for a ministerial secretary's position for a close aide".

Successful PPP candidate Kongkrit Hongwilai said he and Chayut Phumakanchana had been assigned to help colleague Suthichai in the new election.

If successful, Suthichai will become the youngest member of the next Parliament. He is 25 years and three months old.

"We will do our best. The rest is up to senior party members," Kongkrit said.

Meanwhile, the Democrat Party is doing its best for success, although it is aware Matchima Thipataya votes could be going the PPP's way.

Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva campaigned yesterday in the constituency, following a visit by secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban on Tuesday.

PPP is confident in Chai Nat, too. It hopes to take seats vacated by two disqualified Chart Thai candidates. The third seat is expected to go to Matchima Thipataya.

The Democrat candidate came a distant fifth on December 23.

PPP spokesman Kuthep Saikrajang said all its yellow-carded candidates would prevail in the new elections. "Voters might think the Election Commission was biased in handing the PPP yellow and red cards. So, they will vote for the party again at the new election," he said.

Narongkorn Chawalsantati, the PPP candidate in Phetchabun's Constituency 1, said the re-run ballot was like choosing between a government and an opposition. "I think people prefer their MP to be in government rather than the opposition." He is expected to grab the seat from the Democrat, whose win in December was overturned.

Democrat spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon said the party was hopeful in Phetchabun Constituency 1 and Nakhon Nayok Constituency 1. But, it saw only slim chances of success in new polls in the North and Northeast.

Charnchai Isarasenarak, the Democrat candidate overturned in Nakhon Nayok, is confident of retaking the seat.

The general election saw a PPP runner and himself elected. They may be again, he said.

Somroutai Sapsomboon,

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

The Nation