Big names among Senate hopefuls

Published on September 26, 2005 - Uthai, Rosana, Chalerm among those likely to contest next year's election

As the first elected Senate approaches the end of its six-year term in March, many political and social heavyweights are preparing to stand as Bangkok candidates in the next election.

Bangkok holds 18 of the 200 Senate seats, the highest number of all the constituencies.

The former president of Parliament, Uthai Pimchaichon, is one ready to stand even though he represented Chon Buri in the House of Representatives.

“Taking the role of a senator, I will act like a filter to prevent attempts to abuse or exploit the law,” he said.

Uthai ended a long political career when he declined to contest last February's general election.

He joined Thai Rak Thai as a party-list candidate shortly before it won the 2001 poll. Although he has never been a member of a Thaksin Shinawatra cabinet, he played a crucial role as House speaker and Parliament president.

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.

Uthai believes Bangkok voters will elect him when they see his long record of achievements.

Another big name candidates is Rosana Tositrakul, secretary general of the Thai Health Foundation, who will again run in Bangkok after being defeated in the last Upper House poll in 2000.

She is known as an activist who played a key role in revealing drug procurement scams at the Public Health Ministry, with the support of a coalition of 30 non-government organisations.

One of the scams involved former public health minister Rakkiat Sukthana, who is in jail after having been found guilty of fraud by the Supreme Court.

“If I win, I'll push for tighter scrutiny of government schemes to protect the public's benefits,” Rosana said.

She said she wouldn't get upset if her campaign failed again. She said she believed the people would finally get good quality senators as many socially respected figures were signalling their intention to become contenders.

Viroj na Bangchang is another name that will appear in the line-up.

Viroj was an MP for Samut Songkhram between 1988 and 1991. He is currently the president of the Asian Environmental Council and has served as an adviser to several government ministers and many House committees.

Having worked behind the political scenes for many years, he has decided it is time to get back on to the stage and is determined to win a place in the Senate.

He has begun handing out leaflets to people in the street and at meetings.

“I want them to know I'll be running for Bangkok senator,” he said.

He hopes that by getting an early start he can effectively send out a message that he will represent the public to protect and cure the environment through legal processes.

The current Senate completes its term on March 21 and an election will be held within 30 days.

Political heavyweights like former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej and former justice minister Chalerm Yoobamrung are expected to join the race for Senate seats, but they remain noncommittal.

Your comments are welcomed. E-mail poldesk@nationgroup.com.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan
The Nation