PPP denies poll result shows appeal is fading
Written by changthai11 on Monday, October 6th, 2008
PPP denies poll result shows appeal is fading
Prapas started late, but still came second
AEKARACH SATTABURUTH AND AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK
Key leaders of the People Power party (PPP) dismiss the notion that the results of Bangkok governor election yesterday reflect its declining popularity in the capital.
Prime Minister and acting party leader Somchai Wongsawat said the vote tally of PPP candidate Prapas Chongsa-nguan, who came second after Democrat candidate Apirak Kosayodhin, was partly because the PPP did not field a candidate in the previous governor election.
Deputy Public Health Minister Wicharn Meenchainant, a PPP MP in the Bangkok faction led by Sudarat Keyuraphan, said the results could not be used as a benchmark for the PPP’s popularity in the capital as voters tended to go for different parties in local polls from the ones they favour in general elections.
Mr Wicharn and Social Development and Human Security Minister Udomdej Rattanasathien, another Bangkok faction member, said Mr Prapas had not campaigned for long.
Mr Wicharn said that Mr Prapas did not have a chance to debate one-on-one with Mr Apirak.
Mr Prapas resigned as governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to run in the election under the PPP banner only days before the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration started the application process.
Polls by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University and Assumption University conducted before the voting day put him third behind Mr Apirak and Chuwit Kamolvisit. But he came second yesterday in unofficial counts.
A PPP source said Mr Prapas would have earned more votes had PPP executives been more sincere in their support of him.
The source said Khunying Sudarat initially agreed to lead the PPP canvassing team to support Mr Prapas, but she refused to give financial support during the first two weeks of the campaign period.
Canvassing then went smoothly after one PPP core leader called London to ask former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to talk Khunying Sudarat into supporting Mr Prapas, said the source.
Talking to reporters after learning of his defeat, Mr Prapas said he did not want to make any decision on his future now. He said he would take a break to enjoy his two favourite hobbies, playing golf and riding his motorcycle.
He had said before election day that he would not return to the agency operating the subway line.
But sources close to him anticipated Mr Prapas would soon take another top position in a state enterprise.
The governor’s seat at the MRTA was being held for another person, but the top job at Airports of Thailand Plc is still vacant.
