Contenders take a head start

Published on October 03, 2005 - Former MP, social activist, provincial officials line up for what is expected to be a tough battle for seats in northern province

With so much at stake, Chiang Mai, the North's most populous province and economic powerhouse, is always a tough battleground for political wannabes and warhorses alike.

The 2006 “Road to the Senate” in this province promises to be highly competitive with at least five local heavyweights having declared their candidacies, despite the election being more than six months away.

Chiang Mai holds five of the 200 Senate seats, the highest number among northern constituencies. The six-year term of the first elected Senate expires in March.

Yongyuth Suvaphap is one who has announced that he's ready to stand. Yongyuth is a former Democrat Party MP candidate who was defeated in his 2005 campaign by a Thai Rak Thai party contender.

“I have always wanted to serve the local people,” he said.

Some of his supporters would have preferred to see him run for a House seat again to keep in touch with the local people, he said. But Yongyuth doesn't believe that being a senator would restrict his role, insisting that as a senator he could visit troubled areas to relieve the suffering of local people just as well as an MP could.

“Even now, with Chiang Mai suffering from flooding, I go down to the affected areas to see how I can help,” he said.

Chavinrat Buddhapuan is another name that will appear on the ballot line-up. The social activist has a record of dedicating herself to assisting local communities.

Chavinrat taught nursing at Chiang Mai University for many years. An association of local journalists once bestowed an award on her as an honourable person who had devoted herself to creating a better society. Most of her work involves women's and children's affairs.

“I've been campaigning since January,” Chavinrat said, handing out leaflets to people in the street, communities and government offices.

The law prohibits Senate candidates from holding public rallies or attending public debates to promote themselves. They are permitted only to introduce themselves to voters by listing their credentials.

If elected, Chavinrat believes she could efficiently examine laws proposed to Parliament without being pressured by political parties' resolutions, pointing out that the law prohibits Upper House candidates from holding membership in a political party.

Two other hopefuls, Praphan Buranupakorn and Udom Suvitsakdanont, are both vice presidents of the Chiang Mai provincial administrative organisation (PAO).

Praphan, whose younger brother Pakorn is a local TRT MP, said he has wanted to serve his province as a lawmaker for a long time, and the forthcoming Upper House election is his chance to fulfil that dream.

As a PAO vice president, Praphan believes he is among the favourite contenders as he is already well-known to local voters.

Udom said he had a good grasp of the problems faced by local residents, many of which he believes stem from flaws in the legal system.

But as a local government administrator, he said, he could only offer temporary relief for residents' troubles, and did not have the authority to amend the laws at the root of their problems.

If his campaign succeeded, he said, he would push for amendment to some acts to streamline the local administration.

Budsaba Yodbang-toey, wife of Chiang Mai Senator Intharat, is another name among the would-be senators.

Intharat is apparently backing Budsaba as the law doesn't allow a senator to serve for two consecutive terms. Budsaba is currently an executive of the Thailand Weightlifting Association, of which Intharat is president.

She couldn't be reached at press time as she was visiting the United Arab Emirates with the national weightlifting team for the Asian Weightlifting Championships.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan
The Nation