HIGH-PROFILE RACE: Battle of the spokesmen in Thon Buri

Published on February 3, 2005

Ong-art, Jakrapob both enjoy strong recognition, so it could be a slim margin of victory on Sunday

There is no doubt that Bangkok Noi district will have a political spokesman for its MP following Sunday’s general election, but the choices could not be more contrasting – an incumbent who speaks for the opposition or a challenger who speaks for the government.

Democrat Party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon has served this commercial and residential community on the Thon Buri side of the river for eight years.

Government Spokesman Jakrapob Penkair is the latest piece of Thai Rak Thai ammunition for Bangkok MP contests, following the withdrawal of its former presumptive candidate, Chakrapan Yomchinda, a little over a month ago.

Ong-art’s campaign capitalises on the fact that his is a familiar face throughout the neighbourhood, while Jakrapob highlights his close ties to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

He even seems to consider it his mandate, with his campaign posters bearing lines like: “Prime Minister Thaksin has sent me to serve Bangkok Noi’s people.”

Jakrapob, a first-time candidate and former television talk-show host and news analyst, noted that he needs to get across to voters, middle and working class alike, that Thai Rak Thai’s policies could improve their quality of life.

He argued that a government insider like himself could better solve their problems if he were elected.

“I have a very short time. My strongest competitor here has had eight years. I’ve had only 30 days,” said Jakrapob.

His familiar television persona has brought him compliments on his former programmes when he campaigns among the residents. Many want their pictures taken with him, treating him like a star.

Meanwhile, Ong-art walks through the neighbourhood, greeting residents and passers-by as he goes along.

Some children he stops to chat with were not even born when he was first elected here in 1996.

“Ong-art,” replied a seven-year-old girl shyly after the man asked her if she knew his name.

“I’m even more popular now than last time,” said Ong-art.

He won more than 24,000 votes in 2001, while his Thai Rak Thai opponent, Kovit Surasvadi, only received around 17,000.

His long-time party affiliation and role in national politics as an opposition MP serve as important attributes.

His aides shout out through megaphones: “Vote for the man who has shown his gratitude for the neighbourhood.”

Ong-art says that he has been out among his constituency daily these past eight years, attending funerals, merit-making ceremonies and the like.

But Jakrapob says his popularity is on the rise, even though he has been in the constituency for only about a month.

And appropriately for a race between two spokesmen, he predicts a photo finish.

Phermsak Lilakul
The Nation

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