END OF THE TRAIL: Parties to stage campaign finales

Published on February 4, 2005

Today’s concluding campaign rallies of the ruling Thai Rak Thai and opposition Democrat parties will be held at nearby venues and at roughly the same time, but will feature totally contrasting messages.

In its final appeal ahead of the election on Sunday, the Thai Rak Thai will court support for its one-party government, while the Democrats will rally voters to give it at least 201 House seats to foil the Thai Rak Thai plan and ensure adequate checks and balances in Parliament.

With the Thai Rak Thai rally at Sanam Luang and the Democrat rally at the Royal Plaza a few kilometres away, Rajdamnoen Avenue is certain to be filled by supporters of both parties today.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, party bigwigs and Bangkok MP candidates will address the Thai Rak Thai rally, which starts at 4pm. But the premier’s speech, scheduled for 7pm and expected to last up to an hour, will be the main feature.

A Thai Rak Thai source said that the prime minister would court the capital’s voters by focusing on how a one-party government would benefit the country and the existing populist policies.

Democrat spokesperson Ong-art Klampaiboon said yesterday that the party’s top members would present its most up-to-date information to provide an alternative choice for voters.

The Mahachon and the Chat Thai parties have focused their final efforts on winning support from the countryside. Nakhon Ratchasima is the Mahachon Party’s choice of venue for its final rally.

The Chat Thai Party will hold its final campaign rally in Nakhon Pathom.

Thanyaporn Kunakornpaiboonsiri, Sucheera Pinijparakarn
The Nation

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