Political campaigning heightens as Dec 23 nears

General news - Thursday December 13, 2007

DATELINE Bangkok

Political campaigning heightens as Dec 23 nears

Matichon Analysis _ Concerned about the situation in the country, His Majesty the King has repeatedly called on the people to unite and work together for national peace and stability. The royal appeal comes amid heightened political campaigning for the Dec 23 general election, which some pollsters believe will be a tight race between the People Power and Democrat parties.

According to recent Suan Dusit and Abac polls, the People Power party (PPP) is still ahead of the Democrats in the battle for 480 seats in the Lower House of Parliament.

However, Abac Poll noted that the PPP has been most active in canvassing for votes among local communities, as well as among members of tambon and provincial administration organisations.

In addition to the PPP and Democrats, the Chart Thai party of former prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa and new parties formed by former members of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party are campaigning intensely in all parts of the country.

Chart Thai and these new smaller parties will hold the balance of power after the election, as the PPP or the Democrats will try to form a coalition government.

According to a recent Suan Dusit Poll conducted among people in Bangkok, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva is considered most suitable to be the next prime minister, followed by PPP leader Samak Sundaravej and Mr Banharn, respectively.

Strangely enough, while most respondents favour the PPP, they want Mr Abhisit of the Democrat party to be prime minister. And we all know that there is no love lost between the two rival parties. This dilemma will continue to dog voters until polling day.

If the PPP cannot beat the Democrats hands down, chances are high that Mr Abhisit will join forces with the other parties to form a coalition.

But the PPP may try to lure Banharn away by offering to support him as prime minister.

This scenario may change in the last few days before the election, and right after all the votes have been counted.

Let us hope that all parties will heed the King's appeal for unity and harmony. Politicians must play by the rules and accept the outcome of the election with the spirit of sportsmanship.

Bangkok Post