Small-party candidates who can make a difference

General News : Monday December 10, 2007

RACE TO PARLIAMENT

Small-party candidates who can make a difference

WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM

Khon Kaen _ Little-known parties such as Kasettakorn Thai, Nam Withi, Prachamati, Kasikorn Thai, Chart Samaggi, and Thai Ramruay are hoping to squeeze into the House of Representatives through this province.

As many as 102 MP hopefuls are vying for the 11 seats up for grabs in the four constituencies of Khon Kaen, which has the greatest number of small parties in zone 2.

Despite the expected dominance of the Thai Rak Thai reincarnation, the People Power party (PPP), small parties with shoestring budgets are banking on their candidates, most of them Khon Kaen natives and TRT defectors, to put up a good fight.

''We are not so hopeful. But small parties have a commitment to local people,'' said Chamlong Damsim, leader of the Kasikorn Thai party, who is running in constituency 2.

Mr Chamlong, a Khon Kaen native, said most of the candidates fielded by small parties are Khon Kaen natives wanting to bring badly needed improvements to their localities.

He said Khon Kaen MPs elected in the previous election did not return to fulfil the pledges they made to voters. Those who bought their way into parliament were concerned only about making money.

''Small parties have vowed not to indulge in vote buying. To fight political monopolies, we decided to field Kohn Kaen natives in their own neighbourhoods, giving candidates a better chance of getting elected,'' he said.

He said that since the candidates are self-funded, door-to-door campaigning is the best way to introduce themselves to voters. It is hard work compared to candidates for the big parties, who can rely on canvassers.

Terdsak Meesawat, a Kasettakorn Thai candidate in constituency 1, said he thought his long-standing ties with locals would help him win a seat.

''I hope small parties can win a place in the House. Isan people must take care of Isan people. These days only the rich are taking care of the rich,'' he said.

Sub-Lt Terdsak has no funds to produce campaign posters. His campaign costs are already over 80,000 baht, spent on printing his introduction leaflets and on petrol.

Sukij Rattanasuk, of the Nam Withi party, said campaign posters were beyond his party's reach. He even had trouble filling up his fuel tank.

''I do it the thrifty way. I knock on doors and hand them my introduction leaflet. I paid 3,000 baht to print 10,000 copies,'' he said.

''I ask the locals to help me squeeze into the House. They seem supportive.

''If there is no vote buying I might have a chance. But it is normal for Isan people to take money, because they have a hard life,'' he said.

Thanatchai Wongsai, of the Prachamati party, said small parties flocked to Khon Kaen because voters here go for individuals, not parties.

''Even with poor funding, small parties can still win some seats because our candidates are well-liked and have contributed a great deal locally,'' he said.

Despite the high spirits of many candidates from small parties, some of their peers have already given up.

Pradung Polnok, of the Thai Ramruay party, said: ''At first I thought I could put up a fight. Now I know the tide is too strong and I am going to lose for sure.

''I have stopped campaigning. I have already spent tens of thousands of baht and I do not want to waste more money.''

Provincial election chief Manop Saenprasert said contestants from small parties had taught locals a lot about politics. ''Politics is not only about professional politicians, but about doing good deeds, being honest and sincere,'' he said.

By : Bangkok Post