Banned TRT politicians fielding relatives

General News - Wednesday December 19, 2007

RACE TO PARLIAMENT

Banned TRT politicians fielding relatives

ANUCHA CHAROENPO

Nakhon Ratchasima _ The election is a family business in this northeastern province where several former Thai Rak Thai MPs serving a five year ban from politics are fielding their wives, children or brothers in their stead. Former legislators Pairoj Suwanchawee, Chamlong Krutkhunthod, Suporn Atthawong and Prachathipatai Kamsingnok are pinning their hopes on their relatives, putting them up as candidates for the People Power party (PPP) or Puea Pandin.

They have to compete with the Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana party, which is considered the strongest in the province.

Nakhon Ratchasima has the most seats at stake anywhere outside Bangkok, with 16 up for grabs.

Mr Pairoj has fielded his wife, Ranongrak, in constituency 4, and his oldest son, Polapee, 25, in constituency 6 under the Puea Pandin banner.

Mr Chamlong has entered his younger brother, Boonlert, in constituency 3 with People Power, and Mr Suporn his elder brother, Samphat, in constituency 2, also with the PPP.

The PPP has also given Mr Prachathipatai's son, Voarakorn, the chance to contest constituency 4.

All the candidates stressed that they had been following politics for many years and believed that it was now their time to win a seat.

Mrs Ranongrak, a former public health official, admitted the popularity of her husband and her father has helped her during the election campaign.

''The popularity of my husband Pairoj, who has served as district chief in several areas in the province, means that most voters know me,'' she said.

At the same time most people aged over 50 in the province knew her as the daughter of a Nakhon Ratchasima governor who had lived in the province for three decades.

Mr Samphat said the high profile of his younger brother, former Thai Rak Thai MP Suporn, made him acceptable to people in Korn Buri and Serng Sang districts, Mr Suporn's stronghold.

Mr Boonlert said his family was well-known in Si Khiew and Dan Khun Thod districts. In addition, the policies of the former TRT party were still attractive to many voters who wanted to see them continued by the next administration.

But Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana party-list candidate Pratheep Kreethavej warned these candidates they could not expect it to go all their way in Nakhon Ratchasima.

He said all the candidates being fielded by his party had been working hard to attract support for many years.

''We expect to get at least 12 or even 14 seats,'' said Mr Pratheep, a key campaigner for the party.

Bangkok Post