PPP repeat win in Korat by-election

PPP repeat win in Korat by-election

People Power Party (PPP) candidates won the Sunday by-election in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, unofficial ballot counts showed.

After winning the December 23rd general election, Prasert Chanruangthong, Boonlert Khrutkhunthot and Linda Cherchai had been given yellow cards by the Election Commission on charges of electoral wrongdoing.

Voter turnout in the by-election was lower than that of the general election, which was as high as 72 percent.

The low number was attributed to the fact some factories in the constituencies did not close and many eligible voters employed in Bangkok were not able to travel home to vote.

ABAC exit polls showed Prasert winning 23.82 per cent of the vote, Boonlert 21.27 per cent and Linda 18.67 per cent.

Official poll results were yet to be announced. (TNA)

01:22 Jan 14, 2008


EC confident parliament to meet on time

Thailand’s Election Commission (EC) was optimistic the first meeting of the House of Representatives would be held as stipulated by the Constitution, said EC secretary-general Suthipol Thaweechaikarn.

After EC meeting on Sunday, Mr. Suthipol told journalists the EC planned to discuss Monday the endorsing of additional four or five winning candidates in the December 23 general election.

He also expressed confidence the EC would be able to endorse at least 95 per cent of the total 480 members of parliament, which would be sufficient for the first session of the House of Representatives or the Lower House to take place.

According to the Constitution, the first meeting of the House of Representatives must be held within 30 days after a general election, with a minimum of 95 per cent of elected MPs attending the first session.

Mr. Suthipol’s assurance was made following Sunday’s issuance of a yellow card to a winning elected MP in the northeastern province of Chaiyaphum who was a member of the People Power Party, on charges of handing out VCDs containing a speech by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as well as money to eligible voters.

A by-election in Chaiyaphum’s Constituency 2 would be held on January 17, said Mr. Suthipol.

The EC also agreed to issue yellow cards to two winning candidates of the Puea Pandin Party in Nakhon Ratchasima province’s Constituency 6, on charges of giving promises of money to eligible voters during the run-up to the December 23 general election, said Mr. Suthipol.

He added a date for the by-election in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Constituency 6 was yet to be decided on. (TNA)

00:57 Jan 14, 2008


Four injured children remain in hospital

Four out of the 28 children who suffered injuries after a theme park ride collapsed at Siam Park on Children’s Day remained in hospital for treatment, doctors said on Sunday.

Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin this morning visited all four injured children at hospital and ordered a 15- day closure of the Super Spiral waterslide at Siam Park so thorough checks could be made on it as well as other rides.

The accident occurred when a joint on the park's premier ride, the Super Spiral waterslide, came loose and sent the children plunging from the ride onto the ground.

Doctors at Nopparat Hospital, near Siam Park, said they expected three of the four boys now receiving treatment at the hospital would be discharged within the next one or two days. The fourth boy, aged 13, was still in critical condition with a head injury and vomiting.

Most of the 28 children suffered head injuries. Some also had broken limbs and bruises.

Chantra Purnariksha, secretary-general of the Office of Insurance Regulatory and Supervision Commission, said Siam Park was insured with a local insurance firm and children who had suffered serious injuries would be entitled to receive 500,000 baht each as compensation.

A similar accident occurred at Siam Park last October. The amusement park hit headlines when the Indiana Log ride malfunctioned, killing a 35 year old woman died and seriously injuring five others. (TNA)

19:35 Jan 13, 2008