Despite the disapproval of the Election Commission (EC), the Pheu Thai Party is considering releasing a tape of the campaign message Kokaew Pikulthong, its candidate in Sunday's Bangkok Constituency 6 by-election, made from his remand cell.
Jirayu said the recorded message did not pass the EC's scrutiny, hence it could not be aired by media outlets in the time slots reserved for candidates. But the main opposition party has the option of distributing audio tapes of the message directly to the voters, he said.
Should the EC deem it necessary for Kokaew to make a second recording of his message, it should assign its officials to supervise the taping session in the remand cell and check the message on the spot to save time, he said.
In his message, Kokaew pleaded for sympathy votes in the face of his detention under remand. Under election regulations, a campaign message must be about the party's policies to entitle it to free broadcasting time allocated by the EC.
Regardless of the format for releasing the message, Pheu Thai is scheduled Friday to hold a campaign rally tomorrow starting at 3pm. Key speakers will include no fewer than 25 opposition lawmakers, such as Chalerm Yoobamrung, Vicharn Minchainant and Jatuporn Promphan.
The rally is to take place at the public ground in front of Siam Park on Sukhapiban 2 Road. The party is expecting a crowd of more than 10,000 people.
In regard to the campaigning by Democrat candidate Panich Vikitsreth, the main coalition party is scheduled to set up four rally stages tomorrow, the final day for wooing votes.
Panich said he was assisted in campaigning by three ranking Democrats, Witthaya Kaewparadai for overall supervision, Charoen Kanthawong for Klong Sam Wa district and Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich for Bueng Kum district.
In addition to hustling for votes from individual voters, the Democrats have been holding two rallies per day and make about 10 speeches a day at various housing estates and communities.
Based on an opinion survey conducted by Police Special Branch, Panich is the leading contender, enjoying 60-per-cent support, followed by Kokaew with 40 per cent.