Key battle looming in Bangkok Noi

Published on December 14, 2004

Despite the polls, Thai Rak Thai’s Chakrapan says he has the support needed to unseat Democrat Ong-art

A key electoral face-off is looming in Bangkok Noi, where former TV news reporter and Thai Rak Thai party-list MP Chakrapan Yomchinda will be squaring off against two-time winner Democrat MP and spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon.

Although a recent party poll has indicated Chakrapan was trailing Ong-art at 35:75 in the race for carrying the Bangkok Noi-Taling Chan-Bang Phlat constituency, TRT is grooming Chakrapan as a dark horse to unseat the champion.

Chakrapan holds a master’s degree in political science from Thammasat University and was an MP for Bangkok Noi between 1996 and 2000. At that time he was a Democrat and one of three MPs representing the constituency.

Chakrapan insists that despite his poor showing in current electoral polls, come election day his good works on behalf of residents over the past year may tip the balance in his favour.

Chakrapan claimed credit for building a fitness centre in the area, improving the water system, and solving conflicts among public-transport pickup drivers.

“I am not new here [in Bangkok Noi],” he said. “Actually, I was here before Ong-art and still have a support base. Given some luck, I’ll have a chance to beat him.” Chakrapan accused Ong-art of running on a good

public relations campaign but a poor

record.

Not so, countered Ong-art, who holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Thammasat University and a master’s in business administration from Kasetsart University.

Ong-art, who has been a Democrat MP since 1996 and is entrusted with overseeing the party’s election campaign across Bangkok, insisted his achievements on behalf of locals, regardless of their political convictions, spoke for themselves. He cited new electricity poles and roads as well as regular visits to the area as signs of his accomplishments.

“You can’t afford to be careless in politics,” he stressed. “I don’t see myself as a shoo-in. My opponent will no doubt do his best to unseat me. Yet I strongly believe that most of the constituency is behind me, so I will win.”

Kesinee Jaikawang

The Nation

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