More chill in the air
By Theerawat Khamthita and Jakkrit Waewkraihong
Residents in the far North province of Chiang Rai have been warned to brace for another cold spell coming down from China.
Sompol Supakarn, the chief of the Chiang Rai meteorological station, said the mercury plunged to a record low of 9.9 degrees Celsius in Muang district yesterday. In the mountains, the coldest temperature was recorded at Ban Santi Kiri in Mae Fah Luang district at 3-4 degrees Celsius.
People in the province have also been told they face a long winter, with the chilly weather expected to continue until early March and not February as in previous years.
The cold spell has had a tremendous effect on hilltribe people in tambon Huay Chompu of Muang district with more than 200 elderly people and children falling ill. Many young children who do not have enough warm clothes are suffering from pneumonia.
Meanwhile, Khao Saming district in the eastern province of Trat has been declared a disaster zone with severe drought.
Deputy provincial governor Wichai Prapanroj said a vast area of orchard, stretching over several thousand rai in three tambons of Khao Saming district, has experienced severe water shortages.
However Sompoj Chusiri, the chief of the Trat irrigation office, said major reservoirs across the province have sufficient water for the coming months.
Showing posts with label Top Stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Top Stories. Show all posts
Saturday, January 05, 2008
16 nations express sorrow over Princess' death
16 nations express sorrow over Princess' death
BangkokPost staff
Sixteen countries, along with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, have added messages of condolence over the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana.
The messages were from Japan, Kuwait, France, Burma, Singapore, Bulgaria, Bhutan, Cambodia, Bahrain, China, South Korea, Nigeria, Russia, Ukraine, Laos and Nepal. Escap sent a separate condolence statement.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Jarungwat said Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko conveyed their sorrow to the King and members of the royal family on behalf of all Japanese.
Many representatives of foreign missions in Thailand also turned up in person to pay their last respects to the Princess at the Grand Palace where her body is lying in state.
Yesterday, more than 300 Lisu hilltribespeople from Mae Taeng district of Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son's Pai district performed a bathing rite before the Princess' portrait at the Ueng Ngern villa, a retreat of the late Princess at Huay Nam Dang National Park in Chiang Mai.
BangkokPost staff
Sixteen countries, along with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, have added messages of condolence over the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana.
The messages were from Japan, Kuwait, France, Burma, Singapore, Bulgaria, Bhutan, Cambodia, Bahrain, China, South Korea, Nigeria, Russia, Ukraine, Laos and Nepal. Escap sent a separate condolence statement.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Tharit Jarungwat said Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko conveyed their sorrow to the King and members of the royal family on behalf of all Japanese.
Many representatives of foreign missions in Thailand also turned up in person to pay their last respects to the Princess at the Grand Palace where her body is lying in state.
Yesterday, more than 300 Lisu hilltribespeople from Mae Taeng district of Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son's Pai district performed a bathing rite before the Princess' portrait at the Ueng Ngern villa, a retreat of the late Princess at Huay Nam Dang National Park in Chiang Mai.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
KINGDOM MOURNS
KINGDOM MOURNSPrincess passes away peacefully after six months in hospital POST REPORTERS
The nation is mourning the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, who passed away in the early hours of yesterday after a long battle with abdominal cancer. She was 84. A statement by the Royal Household Bureau said the Princess passed away at 2.54am at Siriraj hospital, where she had been receiving treatment for the last six months. His Majesty the King and members of the Royal Family were at her side.
Thirawat Kullanant, dean of the hospital's faculty of medicine, said the Princess passed away peacefully.
He said she had a strong spirit and had strictly followed the doctors' advice.
"We feel profound sorrow at her passing. We did not feel weary throughout the treatment process and we are deeply grateful for Their Majesties' kindness," he said.
The Princess' condition deteriorated sharply on Tuesday night. The Royal Household Bureau's 38th statement said her breathing was weaker, her kidneys had stopped functioning and she was unresponsive.
The King has declared a 100-day mourning period for members of the Royal Family and palace officials.
The government has announced a 15-day mourning period for government and state enterprise officials. Government agencies, Thai embassies and consulates, and educational institutes across the country will fly their flags at half-mast for 15 days.
All television stations yesterday cancelled their regular programming and broadcast special programmes in honour of the Princess. State-run Channel 11 and TITV and radio stations under the Public Relations Department will air special programmes in her honour for 15 days.
Grief shrouded Siriraj as tens of thousands of people, dressed in black, converged there early yesterday morning to pay their last respects to the Princess. Many wept as they read the Royal Household Bureau's 39th statement on the bulletin board announcing her passing.
One man was seen writing down the statement in his notebook, saying he wished the bureau would distribute the copies to the public. "This is historic. I want to put it in a frame," he said.
In the afternoon, the crowd lined up in front of the Grand Palace for a funeral procession from Siriraj hospital to Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall which took place at 3.30pm.
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and HRH Princess Chulabhorn accompanied the procession, which was led by Wat Chana Songkhram abbot Somdej Phra Maha Theeracharn.
As the motorcade was leaving the hospital via the Tha Nam exit hundreds of people, including students of Siriraj hospital's nursing school, knelt down and performed a krab.
Their Majesties and all members of the Royal Family arrived at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall about 5pm for the funeral.
The King issued a command allowing members of the public to perform a bathing rite before the Princess' portrait at Sahathai Samakhom in the Grand Palace.
Many arrived early in the morning to queue up for the bathing rite. Mourners included Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, People Power party secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee and Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpa-archa.
Out of respect, the Chart Thai and Puea Pandin parties postponed a planned press briefing on their decision to join the coalition government led by the People Power party.
Across the country people flocked to provincial halls and hospitals to sign condolence books and perform bathing rites before the Princess' portrait.
Other mourners went to the website http://http://www.hrh84yrs.org to pay their respects. The website was created in the Princess' honour by her staff.
Members of the public wishing to pay their respects can do so at Sala Sahathai Samakhom. They will be allowed access to the Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall after the seven-day royal ceremony has passed.
Deadly threat : Stoned on the roads
Deadly threat : Stoned on the roads
Thais returning home for the New Year festivities have been the victims of rock-throwing gangs in separate attacks on lonely country roads.
The windscreen of a car driven by a Bangkok woman was smashed when a group of men threw stones on the highway in Surat Thani's Ban Na Doem district in southern Thailand.
Sukanya Panthoing, 31, told the police she had not stopped for fear of what the men might do.
The wife of a truck driver, Ladda Bunliang, needed five stitches on her right eyebrow after being hit by a rock thrown by two men on a motorcycle.
Her husband Charn was driving his 18-ton truck in the Nakhon Luang district of Ayutthaya province, north of Bangkok.
The Ayutthaya Provincial Court last week sentenced two members of a stone-throwing gang to 25 years in prison and ordered them to pay 1 million baht in damages for attacking and robbing the driver of a delivery truck in the province.
Pol Maj-Gen Nares Nanthachot, the Ayutthaya police chief, said it was difficult to stop stone throwing gangs because their victims usually dare not stop to identify their attackers and because such strikes often take place in the dark.
Ordinary traffic accidents were significantly fewer than last year on the first day of the extended New Year break, with 33 deaths in 440 road accidents, said Banyat Chansena, deputy director of the Road Safety Centre. In 2006, 68 people died in almost 700 accidents on the first day of the holiday.
Banyat, who is also deputy interior minister, said motorists appear to have taken to heart government messages on road safety.
Some 2,900 police checkpoints are being operated across the country in a campaign to stop drunks getting behind the wheel. (Roundup by dpa)
Thais returning home for the New Year festivities have been the victims of rock-throwing gangs in separate attacks on lonely country roads.
The windscreen of a car driven by a Bangkok woman was smashed when a group of men threw stones on the highway in Surat Thani's Ban Na Doem district in southern Thailand.
Sukanya Panthoing, 31, told the police she had not stopped for fear of what the men might do.
The wife of a truck driver, Ladda Bunliang, needed five stitches on her right eyebrow after being hit by a rock thrown by two men on a motorcycle.
Her husband Charn was driving his 18-ton truck in the Nakhon Luang district of Ayutthaya province, north of Bangkok.
The Ayutthaya Provincial Court last week sentenced two members of a stone-throwing gang to 25 years in prison and ordered them to pay 1 million baht in damages for attacking and robbing the driver of a delivery truck in the province.
Pol Maj-Gen Nares Nanthachot, the Ayutthaya police chief, said it was difficult to stop stone throwing gangs because their victims usually dare not stop to identify their attackers and because such strikes often take place in the dark.
Ordinary traffic accidents were significantly fewer than last year on the first day of the extended New Year break, with 33 deaths in 440 road accidents, said Banyat Chansena, deputy director of the Road Safety Centre. In 2006, 68 people died in almost 700 accidents on the first day of the holiday.
Banyat, who is also deputy interior minister, said motorists appear to have taken to heart government messages on road safety.
Some 2,900 police checkpoints are being operated across the country in a campaign to stop drunks getting behind the wheel. (Roundup by dpa)
Chart Thai to join coalition govt
Chart Thai to join coalition govt
Chart Thai party leader Banharn Silpa-archa said Monday his party would join a coalition government led by the People Power Party (PPP).
Speaking to journalists at his home while wellwishers presented him with happy New Year greetings, former prime minister Banharn said an official announcement on teaming up with PPP in the coalition government by the Chart Thai and Puea Pandin parties would be made jointly on Wednesday.
Mr. Banharn said he had decided to join the PPP after senior executives of PPP, led by Somchai Wongsawat, a brother-in-law of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, visited him on Friday night while he was receiving a treatment for high blood pressure at a Bangkok hospital.
He said Mr. Somchai had told him that PPP could accept the five conditions proposed earlier by Chart Thai and Puea Pandin Party, but asked Mr. Somchai to also invite the Puea Pandin Party, led by Suwit Khunkitti, former information and communication technology minister in the Thaksin administration.
PPP senior executives on Saturday invited Puea Pandin Party to join the coalition government, said Mr. Banharn, adding that he would confer with Puea Pandin senior officials on January 2 and would make a joint announcement the same day.
Dismissing news reports that his party had bargained for ministerial seats as a condition in joining the PPP, Mr. Banharn said his party never bargained for ministerial portfolios because he realised the seats would be allocated in accordance with his party's winning in the Parliament seats.
Regarding the yellow and red cards being given to elected members of the House of Representatives by the Election Commission -- paving the way for by-elections, tentatively set for January 13, Mr. Banharn said whether his party would cooperate with members of other parties in contesting the by-elections would depend on future events.
When asked whether there would be problems in the new coalition government because it will be formed by several political parties, Mr. Banharn said there should not be any problem "if the supervisor is a good person." (TNA)
Chart Thai party leader Banharn Silpa-archa said Monday his party would join a coalition government led by the People Power Party (PPP).
Speaking to journalists at his home while wellwishers presented him with happy New Year greetings, former prime minister Banharn said an official announcement on teaming up with PPP in the coalition government by the Chart Thai and Puea Pandin parties would be made jointly on Wednesday.
Mr. Banharn said he had decided to join the PPP after senior executives of PPP, led by Somchai Wongsawat, a brother-in-law of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, visited him on Friday night while he was receiving a treatment for high blood pressure at a Bangkok hospital.
He said Mr. Somchai had told him that PPP could accept the five conditions proposed earlier by Chart Thai and Puea Pandin Party, but asked Mr. Somchai to also invite the Puea Pandin Party, led by Suwit Khunkitti, former information and communication technology minister in the Thaksin administration.
PPP senior executives on Saturday invited Puea Pandin Party to join the coalition government, said Mr. Banharn, adding that he would confer with Puea Pandin senior officials on January 2 and would make a joint announcement the same day.
Dismissing news reports that his party had bargained for ministerial seats as a condition in joining the PPP, Mr. Banharn said his party never bargained for ministerial portfolios because he realised the seats would be allocated in accordance with his party's winning in the Parliament seats.
Regarding the yellow and red cards being given to elected members of the House of Representatives by the Election Commission -- paving the way for by-elections, tentatively set for January 13, Mr. Banharn said whether his party would cooperate with members of other parties in contesting the by-elections would depend on future events.
When asked whether there would be problems in the new coalition government because it will be formed by several political parties, Mr. Banharn said there should not be any problem "if the supervisor is a good person." (TNA)
King pleads for unity, national stability
King pleads for unity, national stability
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Monday called for unity among Thai people, urging them to put national stability above personal and vested interest and not creating any condition that will lead to social division.
In his televised New Year's eve address, the world's longest reigning monarch emphasised unity and responsible behaviour among his subjects.
"As you are well aware that our country has gone through a transition period over the past two years. We eventually have passed through a crucial turning point with a new Constitution and newly-elected Members of Parliament in place.
" Therefore", the king said, "it is the duty of all of us to help one another to support the country to achieve normalcy and stability, with the nation being the ultimate goal.
"Each party should put aside personal interest, extend compassion and goodwill to each other without creating any condition that will cause a division in our society. The work of people who are aware of their duty and responsibility will help achieve the country's stability and national security," said the king, wishing all Thais happiness and success.
The 80-year-old monarch has emphasised and reaffirmed the importance of unity and reconciliation on varied occasions during this month. The timing and repetition of the same message could not be more clear.
Thailand held a general election on December 23, the first since the bloodless September 19 coup d'etat in 2006 which ousted then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The People Power Party, aligned with Mr. Thaksin, won the election with 233 seats, but fell short of a majority in the lower house of Parliament, with the Democrat Party, Thailand's oldest political party placing second with 165 seats.
The election results, which sent a powerful message that Thaksin supporters -- mainly the rural poor in the North and Northeast -- want him back at the helm of the country, revive worries over post-coup stability in the kingdom.
Fifteen months since the coup, the political divide between the pro-and-anti-Thaksin camps still remains, apparently unresolved.
His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Monday called for unity among Thai people, urging them to put national stability above personal and vested interest and not creating any condition that will lead to social division.
In his televised New Year's eve address, the world's longest reigning monarch emphasised unity and responsible behaviour among his subjects.
"As you are well aware that our country has gone through a transition period over the past two years. We eventually have passed through a crucial turning point with a new Constitution and newly-elected Members of Parliament in place.
" Therefore", the king said, "it is the duty of all of us to help one another to support the country to achieve normalcy and stability, with the nation being the ultimate goal.
"Each party should put aside personal interest, extend compassion and goodwill to each other without creating any condition that will cause a division in our society. The work of people who are aware of their duty and responsibility will help achieve the country's stability and national security," said the king, wishing all Thais happiness and success.
The 80-year-old monarch has emphasised and reaffirmed the importance of unity and reconciliation on varied occasions during this month. The timing and repetition of the same message could not be more clear.
Thailand held a general election on December 23, the first since the bloodless September 19 coup d'etat in 2006 which ousted then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The People Power Party, aligned with Mr. Thaksin, won the election with 233 seats, but fell short of a majority in the lower house of Parliament, with the Democrat Party, Thailand's oldest political party placing second with 165 seats.
The election results, which sent a powerful message that Thaksin supporters -- mainly the rural poor in the North and Northeast -- want him back at the helm of the country, revive worries over post-coup stability in the kingdom.
Fifteen months since the coup, the political divide between the pro-and-anti-Thaksin camps still remains, apparently unresolved.
King's sister dies
King's sister dies
Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, the beloved sister of His Majesty the King, has died after a lengthy illness at Siriraj Hospital, the Royal Houselhold Bureau has announced. The princess passed away at 02:54 Wednesday morning.
Bathing rites are to take place today at 1pm.
She had been receiving treatment for abdominal cancer at Siriraj hospital since mid-June.
Just hours earlier, the 37th statment of the Royal Household Bureau has said, the kidney function of the princess had diminished and the Princess had developed a blood infection.
Royal physicians gave her antibiotics for the infection and tried to maintain all of her bodily systems, the statement said.
His Majesty the King, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, the Royal Consort and their son, visited the Princess at the hospital about 6pm yesterday.
In his New Year address broadcast last night His Majesty thanked well-wishers who showed their heart-felt concern for his elder sister.
People of all walks of life had turned up at the hospital to sign books wishing the Princess well.
Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, the beloved sister of His Majesty the King, has died after a lengthy illness at Siriraj Hospital, the Royal Houselhold Bureau has announced. The princess passed away at 02:54 Wednesday morning.
Bathing rites are to take place today at 1pm.
She had been receiving treatment for abdominal cancer at Siriraj hospital since mid-June.
Just hours earlier, the 37th statment of the Royal Household Bureau has said, the kidney function of the princess had diminished and the Princess had developed a blood infection.
Royal physicians gave her antibiotics for the infection and tried to maintain all of her bodily systems, the statement said.
His Majesty the King, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, the Royal Consort and their son, visited the Princess at the hospital about 6pm yesterday.
In his New Year address broadcast last night His Majesty thanked well-wishers who showed their heart-felt concern for his elder sister.
People of all walks of life had turned up at the hospital to sign books wishing the Princess well.
Princess of an era
Princess of an era
Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, eldest sister of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died early Wednesday, her death denoting not only the passing of a royal person who has contributed good to many during a long and fruitful life, but focusses the thoughts of many Thais on Buddhist concepts of impermanence.
According to the Royal Household Bureau's 39th statement, even though all possible care had been given by the team of Royal Physicians, Princess Galyani's condition gradually declined and she succumbed at 2:54 am on the morning of Wednesday January 2.
As a princess who was born and educated abroad, she was first of all older sister to her two younger brothers, Ananda Mahidol and Bhumiphol Adulyadej, both of whom became kings, and witnessed and reflected upon much of Thailand's history in the 20th century.
Princess Galyani's passing bears witness to the passing of an era, focusing the thoughts and prayers of the Thai people on His Majesty the King and the future of the kingdom.
Her overall condition had worsened Tuesday with increasingly laboured breathing and failing kidney functions, according to the Royal Household Bureau's 38th statement issued late in the day.
In addition to treatment for renal failure, the 84-year-old princess had been receiving treatment for abdominal cancer at Siriraj Hospital since June 15, 2007.
His Majesty the King, accompanied by his son HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, the Royal Consort and their son, visited the princess at hospital about 6pm Monday.
In his New Year address broadcast Monday night, the king thanked well-wishers who showed their heart-felt concern for his elder sister. People of all walks of life turned up at hospital to sign books wishing the princess well.
By Royal Command of His Majesty the King, the Bureau of the Royal Household is responsible for the Royal Rites in accordance with royal tradition and the Lying in State will be at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall of the Grand Palace.
By Royal Command the Court will be in mourning for 100 days.
His Majesty the King has given Royal Permission for the general public to participate in bahting rites to be conducted before a portrait of the princess at the Sahathaisamagom Hall of the Grand Palace between 1 pm to 4 pm Wednesday afternoon.
HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana was born on May 6, 1923 in London. Graduating in science and chemistry, she was knowledgeable in the arts, languages, and history, and taught French language, literature and history and Chulalongkorn and Thammasat universities.
While dedicated to teaching and the arts, Princess Galyani considered it important to continue the work begun by her mother, the Princess Mother, in supporting the activities of the Foundation of Voluntary Doctors under Royal Patronage of HRH the Princess Mother.
Alleviating pain and suffering of ordinary folk who are suffering illness, especially those who could not afford normally available medical services, is a special concern of the voluntary doctors. The doctors particularly try to reach people in Thailand's more remote areas.
The princess was heavily involved in projects under her royal patronage, especially traditional Thai arts, education, sports and social welfare. She was president and honorary president of organisations and foundations as diverse as the Cardiac Children's Foundation, the Princess Mother's Charity Fund and the Autistic Foundation of Thailand.
She created her own foundation for funding the studies of gifted young musicians, and she is the Royal Patron of the Bangkok Opera.
Princess Galyani also traveled widely within Thailand and overseas to represent the royal family and her country on missions and was a focus of affection of the Thai people.
Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, eldest sister of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died early Wednesday, her death denoting not only the passing of a royal person who has contributed good to many during a long and fruitful life, but focusses the thoughts of many Thais on Buddhist concepts of impermanence.
According to the Royal Household Bureau's 39th statement, even though all possible care had been given by the team of Royal Physicians, Princess Galyani's condition gradually declined and she succumbed at 2:54 am on the morning of Wednesday January 2.
As a princess who was born and educated abroad, she was first of all older sister to her two younger brothers, Ananda Mahidol and Bhumiphol Adulyadej, both of whom became kings, and witnessed and reflected upon much of Thailand's history in the 20th century.
Princess Galyani's passing bears witness to the passing of an era, focusing the thoughts and prayers of the Thai people on His Majesty the King and the future of the kingdom.
Her overall condition had worsened Tuesday with increasingly laboured breathing and failing kidney functions, according to the Royal Household Bureau's 38th statement issued late in the day.
In addition to treatment for renal failure, the 84-year-old princess had been receiving treatment for abdominal cancer at Siriraj Hospital since June 15, 2007.
His Majesty the King, accompanied by his son HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, the Royal Consort and their son, visited the princess at hospital about 6pm Monday.
In his New Year address broadcast Monday night, the king thanked well-wishers who showed their heart-felt concern for his elder sister. People of all walks of life turned up at hospital to sign books wishing the princess well.
By Royal Command of His Majesty the King, the Bureau of the Royal Household is responsible for the Royal Rites in accordance with royal tradition and the Lying in State will be at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall of the Grand Palace.
By Royal Command the Court will be in mourning for 100 days.
His Majesty the King has given Royal Permission for the general public to participate in bahting rites to be conducted before a portrait of the princess at the Sahathaisamagom Hall of the Grand Palace between 1 pm to 4 pm Wednesday afternoon.
HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana was born on May 6, 1923 in London. Graduating in science and chemistry, she was knowledgeable in the arts, languages, and history, and taught French language, literature and history and Chulalongkorn and Thammasat universities.
While dedicated to teaching and the arts, Princess Galyani considered it important to continue the work begun by her mother, the Princess Mother, in supporting the activities of the Foundation of Voluntary Doctors under Royal Patronage of HRH the Princess Mother.
Alleviating pain and suffering of ordinary folk who are suffering illness, especially those who could not afford normally available medical services, is a special concern of the voluntary doctors. The doctors particularly try to reach people in Thailand's more remote areas.
The princess was heavily involved in projects under her royal patronage, especially traditional Thai arts, education, sports and social welfare. She was president and honorary president of organisations and foundations as diverse as the Cardiac Children's Foundation, the Princess Mother's Charity Fund and the Autistic Foundation of Thailand.
She created her own foundation for funding the studies of gifted young musicians, and she is the Royal Patron of the Bangkok Opera.
Princess Galyani also traveled widely within Thailand and overseas to represent the royal family and her country on missions and was a focus of affection of the Thai people.
IN REMEMBRANCE OF A PRINCESS
IN REMEMBRANCE OF A PRINCESS
BangkokPost staff
The Thai nation is in mourning for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, who passed away at 2:54am on Wednesday after a battle with cancer. She was 84. Princess Galyani Vadhana was recognised as a patron of the arts, culture and countless charities, many of which were initiated by Her Royal Highness the Princess Mother.
While the public admired her quiet, low-key royal grace and her dedication to public health and the welfare of the needy, academia had great respect for her intellect, her expertise in French and classical music and her knack for knowledge and teaching.
Serene and regal, the Princess stood among a handful of Thai women of her generation who were thoroughly schooled with a Western education. She was awarded degrees in both science and liberal arts from Lausanne University and in her youth enjoyed numerous adventure sports such as skiing, horse riding and flying.In the footsteps of the late Princess Mother, the Princess dedicated herself throughout her life to worthy causes, becoming a patron of 63 charitable organisations. Through her simple, down-to-earth style she endeared herself to the public, maintaining classic regality with the least amount of fuss and protocol.
Elder sister of two kings
The eldest daughter of Prince Mahidol of Songkla and the Princess Mother, then Mom Sangwal, Princess Galyani was born in London on May 6, 1923. She was two years older than King Ananda Mahidol, Rama XIII, and four years older than His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX.
On her birth certificate issued in England, the Princess' given name was May. She was later bestowed the royal name Her Serene Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Mahidol by King Vajiravudh, Rama VI.
In 1927, King Prajadhipok, Rama VII, elevated the little Princess to Her Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana. She became Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana when King Rama VII abdicated and Princess Galyani's younger brother ascended the throne as King Ananda Mahidol. In 1995, when the Princess turned 72, His Majesty the King elevated her further to HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, Princess of Naradhiwas, or Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra in Thai.
Childhood
After living in Thailand at Sra Pathum Palace until she was two, the Princess accompanied her parents to Germany where King Ananda Mahidol was born. In 1926, the Mahidol family moved to Boston so Prince Mahidol could study medicine at Harvard University. While the young Princess was attending kindergarten in Boston, her youngest brother was born, later to become His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
While visiting her mother and the baby prince at the hospital, Princess Galyani recalled in her book Jao Nai Lek Lek: Yuwakasat that she was excited and wanted to see her baby brother up close and touch him, but was permitted only to view him from a glass room.
Once the baby prince was brought home, Princess Galyani said she had great fun helping the nanny bathe, dress and take care of him, not knowing she was more of a hindrance than a help. The Princess Mother, she wrote, later asked her to keep out of the way during those busy times.
The family returned to Thailand in 1928, but after less than a year of medical practice, Prince Mahidol passed away as a result of chronic illness in 1929. The Princess was six years old.
``I still remember that day vividly,'' wrote the Princess in Jao Nai Lek Lek: Yuwakasat. She was called in to see the Princess Mother in her room. ``Mother was sitting on a bench by the window. She drew me close to her and said something I couldn't remember, and then she cried, which made me cry, too.''
Despite her grief, the Princess Mother took great care to ensure that the three little royals had a normal and happy childhood. The family photo albums show the royal children enjoying outdoor games, playing in a sand box, digging waterways in the lawn, riding horses, flying kites and swimming in the sea.
Education
Princess Galyani was a student at Rajini School when the Princess Mother decided to move the family to Switzerland on the advice of their grandmother, Queen Savang Vadhana, citing little Prince Ananda Mahidol's frail health, which was vulnerable to tropical heat and humidity. The move was also an attempt to protect the young royals from the political instability in the country at that time.
Going along with the Queen's idea, the Princess Mother took her three children to live in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1933. There the Princess started her primary education at the Miremont School.
Tumultuous Thai politics finally caught up with the young royals when King Prachadhipok, Rama VII, abdicated in 1934, and Prince Ananda Mahidol, then only nine years old, was called upon to take the throne.
The Princess Mother, however, took great pains to ensure that life remained as normal as possible for her three children. HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana continued her secondary education at École Supérieur de Jeune Filles de la Ville de Lausanne, where her curriculum included Latin and German.
In 1938, she was enrolled at the International School of Geneva, a boarding school. She topped her class when she graduated and was ranked third in the country.
The Princess chose to study chemistry for her bachelor's degree at Lausanne University's Faculty of Science. Pursuing her interests in liberal arts, she also took parallel courses in literature, philosophy and psychology at the Faculty of Social Science.
When Princess Galyani Vadhana married a commoner, Col Aram Ratanakul Serirerngrit, in 1944, she relinquished her title, as required by the Palace Law. She had one daughter from the marriage, Thanpuying Tasanavalaya Sornsonggram. The marriage ended in divorce, following which His Majesty the King restored her royal title.
Work and charities
After returning to Thailand in 1950, the Princess followed her calling and became a teacher. For nine years she taught French as well as French literature and history civilisation at Chulalongkorn University.
The Princess later took up a post at Thammasat University as head of the French Language and Literature section as well as the Foreign Language Department, which covered German, Japanese, Chinese and Russian. She also helped formulate the curriculum for the university's French language and literature course.
The Princess also set up the Thai Association of Teachers of French to help improve the teaching of French here.
During this period, the Princess gave special lectures at universities across the country despite the rugged terrain and potential danger from the communist insurgency.
Due to her increasing royal duties the Princess was forced to relinquish her teaching work, but she continued throughout the years to lend support to various educational institutions as well as to scholarship programmes for rural students and gifted young musicians.
Having been schooled in science, the Princess financially supported Thailand's participation in the Academic Olympics as part of her efforts to encourage excellence in the fields of mathematics, physics, chemistry, computers and biology.
An educator at heart, her interest in the education of autistic children has helped spur state commitment, resulting in more facilities and improved programmes for autistic children.
Health care was also one of Princess Galyani Vadhana's interests, an apparent effort on her part to continue the causes of her father, Prince Mahidol of Songkla, known as Thailand's Father of Modern Medicine.
While the Princess Mother was still alive, it was Princess Galyani Vadhana who almost always accompanied her and her mobile medical units to provide much-needed health care services to people in remote areas.
When the Princess Mother passed away, the Princess carried the torch and continued the Princess Mother's various charity projects, making extended trips to rugged areas to provide health care to the needy without any concern for her own health, even though she was at an age when most others would be happy to retire.
She lent her royal patronage to several health-oriented foundations that provide care to the needy. Among them were the Kidney Foundation of Thailand, the Cardiac Children Foundation, the Prostheses Foundation and the Foundation for Slum Child Care.
The Princess was also fond of writing. She penned her first book, Nitaan Samrab Dek (Tales for Children), when she was only nine. She wrote 11 books on the royal family and 10 travelogues. She also translated three books.
Her books on the Princess Mother and her two brothers in their childhood are bestsellers. While she rarely wrote about herself, the voice the readers hear through her books is one of a person who cherished honesty, discipline, simple happiness and life wisdom beyond material indulgences.
Always a teacher, Princess Galyani Vadhana made a point of sharing with the public the knowledge gained about the countries she visited on educational trips. As in her travelogues, television coverage of her royal trips was turned into short documentaries on the destinations, not the traveller.
An animal lover, Princess Galyani Vadhana was particularly fond of dogs. When her favourite dog, Sip Sam, which means 13, died a few years ago, the Princess set up a fund for the Department of Veterinary Medicine at Chulalongkorn University to care for sick and homeless animals. She also initiated a project to set up a special emergency care unit for animals as well as a hospital for abandoned animals.
In her honour, a Thai biologist named a new species of terrestrial crab discovered in Kanchanaburi after her. The crimson crab, or Potomon galyaniae, is known as Poo Pra Pinang in Thai.
In addition to her well-known love of classical music, Princess Galyani was always keen to support traditional arts in Thailand. When the Joe Louis Theatre, a traditional Thai puppet troupe, suffered financial problems and risked closing down in 2004, she appealed to the culture authorities to help rescue this practitioner of the country's puppeteering heritage.
On her 72nd birthday in 1995, His Majesty the King bestowed upon the Princess the titular honour of Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra, or Princess of Naradhiwas, in recognition of her lifelong dedication to charitable causes.
Enjoying good health for most of her life, the Princess said she started feeling the pangs of ageing when well-meaning people kept telling her she should slow down as she was approaching the age of 80.
``Only when they started to emphasize the fact that I was turning 80 did I actually start feeling my age; all the aches and pains associated with old age began to appear,'' she good-humouredly told a small gathering at her royal residence.
Her daughter, Thanpuying Tasanavalaya, tried to persuade the Princess to take a sabbatical year and dedicate herself to physical therapy, but to no avail. After surgery a few years ago, the Princess' health weakened and she had to rely on a walking frame to aid her movement. That did not deter her from attending cultural performances, classical music concerts and other charity events close to her heart.
The last concert graced by the Princess was the Saeng Nueng (One Light) on July 15 at the Thailand Cultural Centre. The concert was performed by 19 music students who are recipients of the Fund for Classical Music Promotion under the Patronage of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana scholarship programme, one of the Princess' initiatives to promote the study of Western classical music by gifted Thai musicians.
On June 15, the Princess was admitted to Siriraj Hospital, where tests revealed she had abdominal cancer. She remained at Siriraj until her death.
The public was first officially informed of the Princess' illness on October 25 when the Bureau of the Royal Household announced that a brain scan had revealed extensive damage to the left side of her brain due to clogged blood vessels.
A subsequent announcement on October 26 divulged that the Princess' abdominal cancer was the same kind as her breast cancer, which had been diagnosed 10 years earlier.
As 2007 came to a close, the Bureau of the Royal Household informed the public on Dec 31, 2007, of the Princess' breathing problem, partial kidney failure and blood infection.The following day, the Princess' condition worsened; she became unconscious, her breathing weak and her kidneys no longer functioning.
Members of the royal family went to Siriraj Hospital on January 1 to be with the Princess. His Majesty the King was beside his elder sister throughout her last hours.
HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana is survived by her only daughter, Thanpuying Tasanavalaya Sornsonggram, and one grandson, Jitas Sornsonggram.
Bathing rites
Bathing rites
Their Majesties the King and Queen Wednesday afternoon presided over the bathing rites for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, who succumbed to abdominal cancer early Wednesday at Siriraj hospital.
According to the Royal Household Bureau's 39th statement on the illness of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of His Majesty the King passed away at 2:54 am on the morning of January 2.
The 84-year-old princess had been receiving treatment for abdominal cancer at Siriraj Hospital since June 15, 2007.
Her body was transferred from the state hospital to the Grand Palace where their Majesties the King and Queen presided over the bathing rite for the late princess.
By Royal Command of His Majesty the King, the Bureau of the Royal Household was responsible for the Royal Rites in accordance with royal tradition and the Lying in State will be at a throne hall of the Grand Palace.
On Wednesday afternoon, thousands of people from all walks of life thronged to the Grand Palace where His Majesty the King had given permission for the general public to participate in bathing rites before a portrait of the late princess.
By Royal Command, the Court will be in mourning for 100 days. Likewise, the national flag will be flown at half mast for 15 days and government and state enterprise employees are instructed to be in mourning for 15 days.
The government also requested the cooperation of both private and public agencies to refrain from organising entertainment activities during the 15-day national mourning period. (TNA)
Their Majesties the King and Queen Wednesday afternoon presided over the bathing rites for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana, who succumbed to abdominal cancer early Wednesday at Siriraj hospital.
According to the Royal Household Bureau's 39th statement on the illness of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of His Majesty the King passed away at 2:54 am on the morning of January 2.
The 84-year-old princess had been receiving treatment for abdominal cancer at Siriraj Hospital since June 15, 2007.
Her body was transferred from the state hospital to the Grand Palace where their Majesties the King and Queen presided over the bathing rite for the late princess.
By Royal Command of His Majesty the King, the Bureau of the Royal Household was responsible for the Royal Rites in accordance with royal tradition and the Lying in State will be at a throne hall of the Grand Palace.
On Wednesday afternoon, thousands of people from all walks of life thronged to the Grand Palace where His Majesty the King had given permission for the general public to participate in bathing rites before a portrait of the late princess.
By Royal Command, the Court will be in mourning for 100 days. Likewise, the national flag will be flown at half mast for 15 days and government and state enterprise employees are instructed to be in mourning for 15 days.
The government also requested the cooperation of both private and public agencies to refrain from organising entertainment activities during the 15-day national mourning period. (TNA)
Thais pay respect to late Princess
Thais pay respect to late Princess
Hundreds of people from all walks of life, dressed in black, thronged to the Grand Palace Thursday where His Majesty the King had given permission for the general public to participate in the traditional Buddhist ceremonial bathing rites before a portrait of the late HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.
Princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died on Wednesday at the age of 84 after a long battle with abdominal cancer .
The king, who was close to his sister and visited her in hospital almost daily, declared a 100-day mourning period among royal family members and royal court officials.
The government also announced a 15-day mourning period for government and state enterprise employees, and flags at all public buildings will be flown at half mast for 15 days.
The Royal Household Bureau allowed the public to pay homage before the portrait of the late princess a bit earlier than originally scheduled for the official opening times as a great number of mourners crowded at the front of the Sala Sahathai Samakhom Throne Hall since early Thursday morning.
Access to the bathing rites, which take place before a portrait of the late princess, is allowed between Thursday January 3 and Wednesday January 9, from 9am to 5pm, according to a statement issued by the Royal Household Bureau.
From January 10, after the seven-day royal ceremony, members of the public will be allowed to pay homage before the royal remains at the Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall from 9am to 4pm daily.
Tourist are advised to enter the Grand Palace during the week-long royal rites via the entrance opposite the Ministry of Defence.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture was planning to establish the Galyani Vadhana Musical Institute in recognition of the Princess's wish to see the first ever classical music institute set up in Thailand to allow the young Thai generation to study classical music.
The construction of the institute is set for completion within three years, with a budget of 22 million baht, according to Culture Minister Khunying Khaisri Sri-arun.
The head office of the upcoming institution will also serve as a memorial site in a tribute to the late princess.
Hundreds of people from all walks of life, dressed in black, thronged to the Grand Palace Thursday where His Majesty the King had given permission for the general public to participate in the traditional Buddhist ceremonial bathing rites before a portrait of the late HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.
Princess Galyani Vadhana, the elder sister of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died on Wednesday at the age of 84 after a long battle with abdominal cancer .
The king, who was close to his sister and visited her in hospital almost daily, declared a 100-day mourning period among royal family members and royal court officials.
The government also announced a 15-day mourning period for government and state enterprise employees, and flags at all public buildings will be flown at half mast for 15 days.
The Royal Household Bureau allowed the public to pay homage before the portrait of the late princess a bit earlier than originally scheduled for the official opening times as a great number of mourners crowded at the front of the Sala Sahathai Samakhom Throne Hall since early Thursday morning.
Access to the bathing rites, which take place before a portrait of the late princess, is allowed between Thursday January 3 and Wednesday January 9, from 9am to 5pm, according to a statement issued by the Royal Household Bureau.
From January 10, after the seven-day royal ceremony, members of the public will be allowed to pay homage before the royal remains at the Dusit Maha Prasart Throne Hall from 9am to 4pm daily.
Tourist are advised to enter the Grand Palace during the week-long royal rites via the entrance opposite the Ministry of Defence.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture was planning to establish the Galyani Vadhana Musical Institute in recognition of the Princess's wish to see the first ever classical music institute set up in Thailand to allow the young Thai generation to study classical music.
The construction of the institute is set for completion within three years, with a budget of 22 million baht, according to Culture Minister Khunying Khaisri Sri-arun.
The head office of the upcoming institution will also serve as a memorial site in a tribute to the late princess.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Voters pick PPP
Voters pick PPP
(BangkokPost.com)
The Palang Prachachon (People Power) party loyal to Thaksin Shinawatra won Sunday's election, but appeared to fall just short of a clear parliamentary majority. Still: "I will be the next premier for sure," said PPP leader Samak Sundaravej.
"The coup is dead," Samak told a press conference after unofficial results showed his party had won at least 230 of the 480 contested seats at Sunday's polls.
Samak, 72, is likely to become Thailand's 25th prime minister. "Now the people have had their say. The numbers that came out are an answer to those people," meaning the military.
With 92 per cent of the votes counted near midnight, PPP had 228 seats and the Democrats had 166. In all, 241 seats are needed fora majority.
The midnight results had Chart Thai party with 39 seats, while Puea Pandin party got 26 seats, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana won 10 seats, Matchimathipataya had 7 seats and Pracharaj had four.
Two independent polls showed the People Power Party ahead by a wide margin in a strong repudiation of the generals, who had worked hard to discredit former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and to neutralise his supporters.
"I voted for Thaksin's party," said Siriporn Buntam, the owner of a small restaurant in the rice-growing province of Lopburi, west of Bangkok. Thaksin was the only politician who cared about the poor, she said. "Only when he was prime minister did we really get attention."
Sanit Chutipattana, 58, a salesman in Yala, in the Democrat Party's stronghold in southern Thailand, said he, too, was supporting Thaksin.
"I want Thaksin back," he said. "Thaksin is smarter, better in economics. In the past I had voted for Democrats but this time I changed my mind. It's time to change."
(Compiled by BangkokPost.com)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Earlier report:
The PPP has taken 220 of the 400 seats in constituency voting, and has won 35 of the 80 party-list seats.
If those results are confirmed in official vote-counting Sunday night and Monday, the People Power party would easily capture more than the 241 seats needed to form a government itself - with no need of a coalition.
Observers cautioned there are several roadblocks ahead, even after final vote-counting is confirmed. For one thing, there are dozens of challenges alleging vote fraud, many against PPP candidates.
It must be stressed the results are unofficial, and based on a combination of exit polls and early vote results trickling in as reported by news media at polling stations.
Although Bangkok media agreed that early counting gave the PPP an outright majority, pollsters who conducted exit polls after the Sunday voting showed slight but important differences.
A Dusit Poll for Bangkok's Suan Dusit Rajabhat University forecast that PPP had won a majority of 256 seats, compared to 162 for the rival Democrat Party. However, Abac Poll of Assumption University said its survey showed PPP had won 202 seats, falling short of an outright majority, with the Democrats taking 146.
An Election Commission official told the Associated Press that with 40 per cent of the vote counted, the pro-Thaksin PPP has won 229 seats. The EC vote is official, but the agency has not actually released any final results.
Here are the BangkokPost.com figures as of 6.30pm (1130 GMT).
The constituency candidacy (total 400 seats) throughout Thailand.
People Power party: 220 seats
Democrat: 162 seats
Chart Thai: 40 seats
Puea Pandin: 30 seats
Ruamjaithai Chartpattana: 13 seats
Matchimathipataya: 10 seats
Pracharaj: 5 seats
Unofficial results of the party-list candidacy (total 80 seats)
People Power party: 34 seats
Democrat: 33 seats
Chart Thai: 4 seats
Puea Pandin: 7 seats
Ruamjaithai Chartpattana: 1 seat
(BangkokPost.com)
The Palang Prachachon (People Power) party loyal to Thaksin Shinawatra won Sunday's election, but appeared to fall just short of a clear parliamentary majority. Still: "I will be the next premier for sure," said PPP leader Samak Sundaravej.
"The coup is dead," Samak told a press conference after unofficial results showed his party had won at least 230 of the 480 contested seats at Sunday's polls.
Samak, 72, is likely to become Thailand's 25th prime minister. "Now the people have had their say. The numbers that came out are an answer to those people," meaning the military.
With 92 per cent of the votes counted near midnight, PPP had 228 seats and the Democrats had 166. In all, 241 seats are needed fora majority.
The midnight results had Chart Thai party with 39 seats, while Puea Pandin party got 26 seats, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana won 10 seats, Matchimathipataya had 7 seats and Pracharaj had four.
Two independent polls showed the People Power Party ahead by a wide margin in a strong repudiation of the generals, who had worked hard to discredit former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and to neutralise his supporters.
"I voted for Thaksin's party," said Siriporn Buntam, the owner of a small restaurant in the rice-growing province of Lopburi, west of Bangkok. Thaksin was the only politician who cared about the poor, she said. "Only when he was prime minister did we really get attention."
Sanit Chutipattana, 58, a salesman in Yala, in the Democrat Party's stronghold in southern Thailand, said he, too, was supporting Thaksin.
"I want Thaksin back," he said. "Thaksin is smarter, better in economics. In the past I had voted for Democrats but this time I changed my mind. It's time to change."
(Compiled by BangkokPost.com)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Earlier report:
The PPP has taken 220 of the 400 seats in constituency voting, and has won 35 of the 80 party-list seats.
If those results are confirmed in official vote-counting Sunday night and Monday, the People Power party would easily capture more than the 241 seats needed to form a government itself - with no need of a coalition.
Observers cautioned there are several roadblocks ahead, even after final vote-counting is confirmed. For one thing, there are dozens of challenges alleging vote fraud, many against PPP candidates.
It must be stressed the results are unofficial, and based on a combination of exit polls and early vote results trickling in as reported by news media at polling stations.
Although Bangkok media agreed that early counting gave the PPP an outright majority, pollsters who conducted exit polls after the Sunday voting showed slight but important differences.
A Dusit Poll for Bangkok's Suan Dusit Rajabhat University forecast that PPP had won a majority of 256 seats, compared to 162 for the rival Democrat Party. However, Abac Poll of Assumption University said its survey showed PPP had won 202 seats, falling short of an outright majority, with the Democrats taking 146.
An Election Commission official told the Associated Press that with 40 per cent of the vote counted, the pro-Thaksin PPP has won 229 seats. The EC vote is official, but the agency has not actually released any final results.
Here are the BangkokPost.com figures as of 6.30pm (1130 GMT).
The constituency candidacy (total 400 seats) throughout Thailand.
People Power party: 220 seats
Democrat: 162 seats
Chart Thai: 40 seats
Puea Pandin: 30 seats
Ruamjaithai Chartpattana: 13 seats
Matchimathipataya: 10 seats
Pracharaj: 5 seats
Unofficial results of the party-list candidacy (total 80 seats)
People Power party: 34 seats
Democrat: 33 seats
Chart Thai: 4 seats
Puea Pandin: 7 seats
Ruamjaithai Chartpattana: 1 seat
A few votes short
A few votes short
The People Power Party (PPP), whose main platform has been its support for ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has emerged the winner of weekend polls, election officials said Monday after finishing the final vote tally in the first election held since last year's coup.
NOTE : For final party vote tally in Sunday election, click here
The PPP came nine seats shy of a majority in parliament, winning 232 of the 480 seats contested in Sunday's election, said Election Commission Secretary General Suthipol Thaveechaikarn.
About 32.08 million Thais, or 70.27 per cent of eligible voters, cast ballots, he said.
Although it was the final count, it was not the final outcome because the Election Commission must still investigate various charges of election fraud and might be forced to hold a by-election for red-carded candidates.
The United States immediately welcomed the vote.
"The Thai people turned out at the polls to show their support for a return to an elected government accountable to the citizens," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in Washington.
"We call on all sides to respect the results," he added.
PPP leader Samak Sundaravej, a 72-year-old veteran of Thailand's political scene, said Sunday night that he would be the country's next prime minister and would approach other parties to form a coalition government before parliament reconvenes in 30 days, as required by the constitution.
Samak said at a press conference that the support for the PPP was a statement on the military's September 19, 2006, coup, which toppled Thaksin and installed an appointed cabinet of technocrats.
"The coup is dead," Samak said. "Now the people have had their say. The numbers that came out are an answer to those people," he said, referring to the military.
It remained to be seen whether a coalition government under the PPP could be born, analysts said.
The PPP's main rival, the Democrat Party, has already announced that it would not join the PPP in a coalition but would become the opposition if it fails to lead a government.
The Democrat Party won 165 seats and dominated the results in Bangkok, where it won 27 of the 36 contested seats. The PPP received the other nine Bangkok mandates.
Coming third was the Chart Thai Party with 37 seats, followed by the Peau Pandin Party with 25 seats. The other slates to win seats were Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana with nine, Machima Thipataya with seven and Pracharaj with five, according to the latest unofficial tally.
Although the PPP won the most seats, it would have a hard time mustering a coalition government, observers said.
"We have a clean winner but not a clear-cut outcome," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.
The Democrats did better than expected and won Bangkok's backing, deemed a crucial factor to any government's stability.
"The provinces elect governments, and Bangkok topples them," is an old Thai saying.
The Democrats also received strong support for their party-list candidates, winning 33 of the 80 contested party-list seats, compared with the PPP's 34.
"That means that many people split their vote, casting ballots for their preferred MPs [members of parliament] but voting for the Democrats as their favourite party," Thitinan said.
Samak would need to persuade the Chart Thai Party, run by Banharn Silpa-archa, to join him if the PPP is to muster a government, but Banharn has reportedly asked to become prime minister of such a coalition.
Thailand appeared to be heading for a weak coalition government that is not likely to last long, analysts said.
The PPP has campaigned on a platform of continuing the populist policies initiated by Thaksin during his two premierships from 2001 to 2006 and assuring a safe return for the billionaire politician, who has been in self-imposed exile since the coup.
Thaksin, a former telecommunications tycoon, reportedly moved from his mansion in London to his luxury apartment in Hong Kong to observe the election and hopes to return on February 14 to Thailand.
The People Power Party (PPP), whose main platform has been its support for ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has emerged the winner of weekend polls, election officials said Monday after finishing the final vote tally in the first election held since last year's coup.
NOTE : For final party vote tally in Sunday election, click here
The PPP came nine seats shy of a majority in parliament, winning 232 of the 480 seats contested in Sunday's election, said Election Commission Secretary General Suthipol Thaveechaikarn.
About 32.08 million Thais, or 70.27 per cent of eligible voters, cast ballots, he said.
Although it was the final count, it was not the final outcome because the Election Commission must still investigate various charges of election fraud and might be forced to hold a by-election for red-carded candidates.
The United States immediately welcomed the vote.
"The Thai people turned out at the polls to show their support for a return to an elected government accountable to the citizens," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in Washington.
"We call on all sides to respect the results," he added.
PPP leader Samak Sundaravej, a 72-year-old veteran of Thailand's political scene, said Sunday night that he would be the country's next prime minister and would approach other parties to form a coalition government before parliament reconvenes in 30 days, as required by the constitution.
Samak said at a press conference that the support for the PPP was a statement on the military's September 19, 2006, coup, which toppled Thaksin and installed an appointed cabinet of technocrats.
"The coup is dead," Samak said. "Now the people have had their say. The numbers that came out are an answer to those people," he said, referring to the military.
It remained to be seen whether a coalition government under the PPP could be born, analysts said.
The PPP's main rival, the Democrat Party, has already announced that it would not join the PPP in a coalition but would become the opposition if it fails to lead a government.
The Democrat Party won 165 seats and dominated the results in Bangkok, where it won 27 of the 36 contested seats. The PPP received the other nine Bangkok mandates.
Coming third was the Chart Thai Party with 37 seats, followed by the Peau Pandin Party with 25 seats. The other slates to win seats were Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana with nine, Machima Thipataya with seven and Pracharaj with five, according to the latest unofficial tally.
Although the PPP won the most seats, it would have a hard time mustering a coalition government, observers said.
"We have a clean winner but not a clear-cut outcome," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University.
The Democrats did better than expected and won Bangkok's backing, deemed a crucial factor to any government's stability.
"The provinces elect governments, and Bangkok topples them," is an old Thai saying.
The Democrats also received strong support for their party-list candidates, winning 33 of the 80 contested party-list seats, compared with the PPP's 34.
"That means that many people split their vote, casting ballots for their preferred MPs [members of parliament] but voting for the Democrats as their favourite party," Thitinan said.
Samak would need to persuade the Chart Thai Party, run by Banharn Silpa-archa, to join him if the PPP is to muster a government, but Banharn has reportedly asked to become prime minister of such a coalition.
Thailand appeared to be heading for a weak coalition government that is not likely to last long, analysts said.
The PPP has campaigned on a platform of continuing the populist policies initiated by Thaksin during his two premierships from 2001 to 2006 and assuring a safe return for the billionaire politician, who has been in self-imposed exile since the coup.
Thaksin, a former telecommunications tycoon, reportedly moved from his mansion in London to his luxury apartment in Hong Kong to observe the election and hopes to return on February 14 to Thailand.
PPP 'will rule'
PPP 'will rule'
People Power party is confident it can form a coalition government from the plurality it won in Sunday's election, the PPP secretary general said on Monday.
Surapong Suebwonglee that the PPP would attract enough smaller parties to reach 280 to 290 seats, enough for it to form a coalition government in the 480-seat lower house of parliament.
He said the PPP would not reveal the names of the parties, but would rather wait until the voting results are confirmed by the Election Commission (EC) after Jan 3.
At the moment, the PPP promise is just talk. There is heavy resistance from several influential circles to the idea of a PPP-led government.
The party is being sharply challenged by the second-place Democrat Party, which has the confidence of the political establishment.
The EC will issue yellow or red cards later which can disqualify some winning candidates on electoral cheating allegations, which might alter the parties' positions, said Surapong.
Current election results, which will change as red cards are issued, showed that the PPP won 232 seats in the House of Representatives, while the Democrat Party won 165 seats.
They were followed by Chart Thai Party with 37 seats and the Puea Pandin Party was at fourth place with 25 seats.
Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana took nine seats, Machimatipataya captured seven and Pracharaj currently has five seats.
People Power party is confident it can form a coalition government from the plurality it won in Sunday's election, the PPP secretary general said on Monday.
Surapong Suebwonglee that the PPP would attract enough smaller parties to reach 280 to 290 seats, enough for it to form a coalition government in the 480-seat lower house of parliament.
He said the PPP would not reveal the names of the parties, but would rather wait until the voting results are confirmed by the Election Commission (EC) after Jan 3.
At the moment, the PPP promise is just talk. There is heavy resistance from several influential circles to the idea of a PPP-led government.
The party is being sharply challenged by the second-place Democrat Party, which has the confidence of the political establishment.
The EC will issue yellow or red cards later which can disqualify some winning candidates on electoral cheating allegations, which might alter the parties' positions, said Surapong.
Current election results, which will change as red cards are issued, showed that the PPP won 232 seats in the House of Representatives, while the Democrat Party won 165 seats.
They were followed by Chart Thai Party with 37 seats and the Puea Pandin Party was at fourth place with 25 seats.
Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana took nine seats, Machimatipataya captured seven and Pracharaj currently has five seats.
Thaksin vows to return
Thaksin vows to return
Hong Kong - Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced Tuesday that he would return to Thailand, possibly within weeks, after the victory of his allies in weekend elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Hong Kong, Thaksin said he would return to Thailand sometime between February and April, saying he wanted to return to politics but live as "a normal citizen."
The former prime minster, who was forced out of office by the military in September 2006, also said he would prove himself innocent of corruption charges laid against him by the military junta after he was deposed.
Thaksin, who has spent much of his time in Hong Kong since last year's coup, was speaking after the victory Sunday of the People Power Party in the first elections since the military takeover in Thailand.
The party won 232 of the 480 parliamentary seats up for grabs in the election, and its leader, Samak Sundaravej, said it would approach other parties to form a coalition government. (dpa)
Hong Kong - Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced Tuesday that he would return to Thailand, possibly within weeks, after the victory of his allies in weekend elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Hong Kong, Thaksin said he would return to Thailand sometime between February and April, saying he wanted to return to politics but live as "a normal citizen."
The former prime minster, who was forced out of office by the military in September 2006, also said he would prove himself innocent of corruption charges laid against him by the military junta after he was deposed.
Thaksin, who has spent much of his time in Hong Kong since last year's coup, was speaking after the victory Sunday of the People Power Party in the first elections since the military takeover in Thailand.
The party won 232 of the 480 parliamentary seats up for grabs in the election, and its leader, Samak Sundaravej, said it would approach other parties to form a coalition government. (dpa)
Thaksin makes Hong Kong his base for comeback
Thaksin makes Hong Kong his base for comeback
Hong Kong (dpa)
Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra is to make Hong Kong his Asian base as he plots a triumphant return to Thailand, a news report said Wednesday.
Thaksin, who hosted a press conference in Hong Kong Tuesday, will divide his time between the former British colony and the UK before making his return to Thailand, the South China Morning Post reported.
Quoting friends, the newspaper said Thaksin considered Hong Kong a natural base, because of its "basic freedoms and commercial set-up and strong links to Thailand."
Thaksin, who was forced out of office by the military in September 2006, spent the weekend in Hong Kong monitoring the Thai election results which resulted in big wins for his allies in the People Power Party, the newspaper said.
At a press conference Tuesday, Thaksin announced he would return to Thailand sometime between February and April, saying he wanted to live as "a normal citizen."
While he insisted he did not want to resume his political career, he hinted at a return to politics, telling reporters he would consider acting as an advisor to the People Power Party if invited.
Thaksin also said he would prove himself innocent of corruption charges laid against him by the military junta and the courts after he was deposed.
Members of the Thai military and bureaucracy behind the ousting of Thaksin, and the subsequent legal action, are widely reported to be nervously awaiting the arrival of the notoriously thin-skinned and vindictive tycoon-turned-politician.
Hong Kong (dpa)
Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra is to make Hong Kong his Asian base as he plots a triumphant return to Thailand, a news report said Wednesday.
Thaksin, who hosted a press conference in Hong Kong Tuesday, will divide his time between the former British colony and the UK before making his return to Thailand, the South China Morning Post reported.
Quoting friends, the newspaper said Thaksin considered Hong Kong a natural base, because of its "basic freedoms and commercial set-up and strong links to Thailand."
Thaksin, who was forced out of office by the military in September 2006, spent the weekend in Hong Kong monitoring the Thai election results which resulted in big wins for his allies in the People Power Party, the newspaper said.
At a press conference Tuesday, Thaksin announced he would return to Thailand sometime between February and April, saying he wanted to live as "a normal citizen."
While he insisted he did not want to resume his political career, he hinted at a return to politics, telling reporters he would consider acting as an advisor to the People Power Party if invited.
Thaksin also said he would prove himself innocent of corruption charges laid against him by the military junta and the courts after he was deposed.
Members of the Thai military and bureaucracy behind the ousting of Thaksin, and the subsequent legal action, are widely reported to be nervously awaiting the arrival of the notoriously thin-skinned and vindictive tycoon-turned-politician.
Three years after the tsunami
Three years after the tsunami
Thai News Agency, dpa
Thailand and Southeast Asian neighbours wracked by the tsunami three years ago marked the anniversary Wednesday with thousands of ceremonies, commemorations - and more preventative exercises.
At least 250,000 lives were estimated to have been lost in the Indian Ocean tsunami, with Indonesia, the Maldives and Sri Lanka the worst-hit.
Public and private sectors held a tsunami remembrance ceremony to mark the third anniversary of the December 26 disaster that hit Thailand's six Andaman coastal provinces killing more than 5,000 persons three years ago
Phuket deputy governor Tri Akkaradecha presided at a ceremony marking the disaster and paid tribute to the victims of the giant tidal waves that hit the southern provinces on Boxing Day.
The ceremony was held at Loma Park of Patong Beach, Kratu district and families of the victims and tourists attended the rite.
At Mai Khao Cemetery in Thalang district, where unidentified bodies are being kept, religious ceremonies – Buddhist, Christian and Muslim -- were held.
Thailand's six Andaman coastal provinces -- Phang-nga, Krabi, Phuket, Ranong, Trang and Satun -- were hit by the unprecedented tsunami of Dec 26, 2004, with over 5,000 local residents as well as Thai and foreign holidaymakers losing their lives in the tidal waves.
During the evening, a "Light Up Phuket" activity will be held to let the victims relatives and general public to join the candle-lit ceremony to pay tribute to the dead and other victims.
Meanwhile, the ceremonies in Phang-nga were held in three locations in the morning: at the grounded police patrol vessel Tor 813 at Tambon Kikkak in Takua Pa district, in Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park, and Bang Maruan Cemetery for the unidentified victims.
Wednesday evening, religious services will take place at Chong Fah Beach, Bang Niang in Takua Pa district and Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya will preside.
Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont and ambassadors accredited to Thailand were scheduled to join the ceremony.
An exhibition commemorating the life of Khun Poom Jensen, son of Princess Ubolratana, eldest daughter of His Majesty the King is also being held.
In addition to memorial services, Krabi and Phuket will present an exhibition to educate the public regarding the tsunami.
In Indonesia's Aceh province on the northern end of Sumatra, where more than 170,000 were either dead or missing when a massive 9.0- magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami on December 26, 2004, hundreds of survivors prayed at mass graves and mosques.
A safety drill to test emergency relief teams meanwhile went ahead in West Java's Banten province watched by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and other high-ranking government officials.
These responded to a mock chemical leak in a factory if an 8.5 magnitude quake were to hit the area. The warning system was set up after villages were pulverised along Indian Ocean shores, killing or leaving missing about 230,000 people.
In an attempt to improve the alert system, the government planned to set up 11 buoys around the country in 2008 to detect high waves triggered from undersea quakes, Antara news agency quoted officials as saying.
In India - where some 4,000 are still counted as missing and where official figures say 12,405 people lost their lives in the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh - prayer meetings and candle-light vigils went ahead.
Thousands of survivors still await permanent shelters promised in the regions by the government.
Candle-light marches and prayers at the graves of victims were held in Tamil Nadu, while fishermen stayed away from the sea as a mark of mourning.
More than 600,000 people were rendered homeless by the tidal wave that destroyed or damaged an estimated 100,000 homes in India.
In Sri Lanka, where the tsunami claimed more than 40,000 lives, there were more solemn religious ceremonies and alms-giving to invoke blessings on those who perished.
President Mahinda Rajapakasa presided over a ceremony to remember those killed in Matara, 160 kilometres south of the capital. The memorial coincided with the opening of a bridge donated by the South Korean government.
Small religious ceremonies and alms giving were held in almost all coastal areas hit by the devastating waves.
The ceremonies came as the government continued to grapple with rehabilitation and resettlement programmes and to provide housing facilities to more than 117,000 families.
Nearly 20,000 people still need permanent homes and continue to live in temporary houses.
Sri Lanka had estimated that 117,483 houses were needed for those hit by the tsunami, but only 97,692 houses have been completed, according to the Ministry of Nation Building which oversees tsunami housing projects.
Thai News Agency, dpa
Thailand and Southeast Asian neighbours wracked by the tsunami three years ago marked the anniversary Wednesday with thousands of ceremonies, commemorations - and more preventative exercises.
At least 250,000 lives were estimated to have been lost in the Indian Ocean tsunami, with Indonesia, the Maldives and Sri Lanka the worst-hit.
Public and private sectors held a tsunami remembrance ceremony to mark the third anniversary of the December 26 disaster that hit Thailand's six Andaman coastal provinces killing more than 5,000 persons three years ago
Phuket deputy governor Tri Akkaradecha presided at a ceremony marking the disaster and paid tribute to the victims of the giant tidal waves that hit the southern provinces on Boxing Day.
The ceremony was held at Loma Park of Patong Beach, Kratu district and families of the victims and tourists attended the rite.
At Mai Khao Cemetery in Thalang district, where unidentified bodies are being kept, religious ceremonies – Buddhist, Christian and Muslim -- were held.
Thailand's six Andaman coastal provinces -- Phang-nga, Krabi, Phuket, Ranong, Trang and Satun -- were hit by the unprecedented tsunami of Dec 26, 2004, with over 5,000 local residents as well as Thai and foreign holidaymakers losing their lives in the tidal waves.
During the evening, a "Light Up Phuket" activity will be held to let the victims relatives and general public to join the candle-lit ceremony to pay tribute to the dead and other victims.
Meanwhile, the ceremonies in Phang-nga were held in three locations in the morning: at the grounded police patrol vessel Tor 813 at Tambon Kikkak in Takua Pa district, in Ban Nam Khem Tsunami Memorial Park, and Bang Maruan Cemetery for the unidentified victims.
Wednesday evening, religious services will take place at Chong Fah Beach, Bang Niang in Takua Pa district and Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya will preside.
Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont and ambassadors accredited to Thailand were scheduled to join the ceremony.
An exhibition commemorating the life of Khun Poom Jensen, son of Princess Ubolratana, eldest daughter of His Majesty the King is also being held.
In addition to memorial services, Krabi and Phuket will present an exhibition to educate the public regarding the tsunami.
In Indonesia's Aceh province on the northern end of Sumatra, where more than 170,000 were either dead or missing when a massive 9.0- magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami on December 26, 2004, hundreds of survivors prayed at mass graves and mosques.
A safety drill to test emergency relief teams meanwhile went ahead in West Java's Banten province watched by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and other high-ranking government officials.
These responded to a mock chemical leak in a factory if an 8.5 magnitude quake were to hit the area. The warning system was set up after villages were pulverised along Indian Ocean shores, killing or leaving missing about 230,000 people.
In an attempt to improve the alert system, the government planned to set up 11 buoys around the country in 2008 to detect high waves triggered from undersea quakes, Antara news agency quoted officials as saying.
In India - where some 4,000 are still counted as missing and where official figures say 12,405 people lost their lives in the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh - prayer meetings and candle-light vigils went ahead.
Thousands of survivors still await permanent shelters promised in the regions by the government.
Candle-light marches and prayers at the graves of victims were held in Tamil Nadu, while fishermen stayed away from the sea as a mark of mourning.
More than 600,000 people were rendered homeless by the tidal wave that destroyed or damaged an estimated 100,000 homes in India.
In Sri Lanka, where the tsunami claimed more than 40,000 lives, there were more solemn religious ceremonies and alms-giving to invoke blessings on those who perished.
President Mahinda Rajapakasa presided over a ceremony to remember those killed in Matara, 160 kilometres south of the capital. The memorial coincided with the opening of a bridge donated by the South Korean government.
Small religious ceremonies and alms giving were held in almost all coastal areas hit by the devastating waves.
The ceremonies came as the government continued to grapple with rehabilitation and resettlement programmes and to provide housing facilities to more than 117,000 families.
Nearly 20,000 people still need permanent homes and continue to live in temporary houses.
Sri Lanka had estimated that 117,483 houses were needed for those hit by the tsunami, but only 97,692 houses have been completed, according to the Ministry of Nation Building which oversees tsunami housing projects.
Thaksin can return
Thaksin can return
BangkokPost.com
Military-appointed Premiker Surayud Chulanont said Wednesday he "has no problem" if ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra is to return to Thailand - although he will not be prime minister by then, anyhow.
"I want the country's situation to return to normal soon and if Thaksin returns, there will be no problem," he said.
Gen Surayud's response came after Mr Thaksin told media in Hong Kong he will "go back from February onwards."
His plan to return has become promising after his allies claimed victory in Sunday election. His return from exile is based on the near certainty that his political friends will form a government - probably by next week - and end the military rule exemplified by Gen Surayud.
The pro-Thaksin party, People Power party (PPP), won 233 seats while its closest rival Democrat party won 165 seats out of 480 seats.
Gen Surayud, appointed to the premier post by the military junta, expressed confidence a government would be formed.
He also called on every party to accept the results of the polls.
BangkokPost.com
Military-appointed Premiker Surayud Chulanont said Wednesday he "has no problem" if ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra is to return to Thailand - although he will not be prime minister by then, anyhow.
"I want the country's situation to return to normal soon and if Thaksin returns, there will be no problem," he said.
Gen Surayud's response came after Mr Thaksin told media in Hong Kong he will "go back from February onwards."
His plan to return has become promising after his allies claimed victory in Sunday election. His return from exile is based on the near certainty that his political friends will form a government - probably by next week - and end the military rule exemplified by Gen Surayud.
The pro-Thaksin party, People Power party (PPP), won 233 seats while its closest rival Democrat party won 165 seats out of 480 seats.
Gen Surayud, appointed to the premier post by the military junta, expressed confidence a government would be formed.
He also called on every party to accept the results of the polls.
New government likely next week
New government likely next week
(BangkokPost.com)
People Power party leader Samak Sundaravej has scheduled a press conference for January 4, when he says it will announce the formation of a new government.
PPP spokesperson Kuthep Saikrajang made the announcement early Wednesday, confirming that the PPP now has 254 seats in the bag.
"There is no doubt that the PPP will be able to form a new government and we hope that Puea Pandin party will join us,"he said.
"We are not making presumptions. What I’ve said is the truth and there is a possibility that we will get more seats in the days ahead."
He also explained Mr Samak's silence as a way of avoiding controversy or - as he put it - giving out sensitive information to the press which could later be misinterpreted.
However, he denied that Mr Samak had met Thaksin Shinawatra in Hong Kong.
Mr Thaksin said early this week that he intends to return to Thaland from exile to fight charges levelled against him by a military-appointed investigation commission. He also intends to advise PPP, which is the reincarnation of his Thai Rak Thai party.
(BangkokPost.com)
People Power party leader Samak Sundaravej has scheduled a press conference for January 4, when he says it will announce the formation of a new government.
PPP spokesperson Kuthep Saikrajang made the announcement early Wednesday, confirming that the PPP now has 254 seats in the bag.
"There is no doubt that the PPP will be able to form a new government and we hope that Puea Pandin party will join us,"he said.
"We are not making presumptions. What I’ve said is the truth and there is a possibility that we will get more seats in the days ahead."
He also explained Mr Samak's silence as a way of avoiding controversy or - as he put it - giving out sensitive information to the press which could later be misinterpreted.
However, he denied that Mr Samak had met Thaksin Shinawatra in Hong Kong.
Mr Thaksin said early this week that he intends to return to Thaland from exile to fight charges levelled against him by a military-appointed investigation commission. He also intends to advise PPP, which is the reincarnation of his Thai Rak Thai party.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Voters pick PPP
Voters pick PPP
(BangkokPost.com)
The Palang Prachachon (People Power) party loyal to Thaksin Shinawatra won Sunday's election, but appeared to fall just short of a clear parliamentary majority. Still: "I will be the next premier for sure," said PPP leader Samak Sundaravej.
"The coup is dead," Samak told a press conference after unofficial results showed his party had won at least 230 of the 480 contested seats at Sunday's polls.
Samak, 72, is likely to become Thailand's 25th prime minister. "Now the people have had their say. The numbers that came out are an answer to those people," meaning the military.
With 92 per cent of the votes counted near midnight, PPP had 228 seats and the Democrats had 166. In all, 241 seats are needed fora majority.
The midnight results had Chart Thai party with 39 seats, while Puea Pandin party got 26 seats, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana won 10 seats, Matchimathipataya had 7 seats and Pracharaj had four.
Two independent polls showed the People Power Party ahead by a wide margin in a strong repudiation of the generals, who had worked hard to discredit former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and to neutralise his supporters.
"I voted for Thaksin's party," said Siriporn Buntam, the owner of a small restaurant in the rice-growing province of Lopburi, west of Bangkok. Thaksin was the only politician who cared about the poor, she said. "Only when he was prime minister did we really get attention."
Sanit Chutipattana, 58, a salesman in Yala, in the Democrat Party's stronghold in southern Thailand, said he, too, was supporting Thaksin.
"I want Thaksin back," he said. "Thaksin is smarter, better in economics. In the past I had voted for Democrats but this time I changed my mind. It's time to change."
(Compiled by BangkokPost.com)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Earlier report:
The PPP has taken 220 of the 400 seats in constituency voting, and has won 35 of the 80 party-list seats.
If those results are confirmed in official vote-counting Sunday night and Monday, the People Power party would easily capture more than the 241 seats needed to form a government itself - with no need of a coalition.
Observers cautioned there are several roadblocks ahead, even after final vote-counting is confirmed. For one thing, there are dozens of challenges alleging vote fraud, many against PPP candidates.
It must be stressed the results are unofficial, and based on a combination of exit polls and early vote results trickling in as reported by news media at polling stations.
Although Bangkok media agreed that early counting gave the PPP an outright majority, pollsters who conducted exit polls after the Sunday voting showed slight but important differences.
A Dusit Poll for Bangkok's Suan Dusit Rajabhat University forecast that PPP had won a majority of 256 seats, compared to 162 for the rival Democrat Party. However, Abac Poll of Assumption University said its survey showed PPP had won 202 seats, falling short of an outright majority, with the Democrats taking 146.
An Election Commission official told the Associated Press that with 40 per cent of the vote counted, the pro-Thaksin PPP has won 229 seats. The EC vote is official, but the agency has not actually released any final results.
Here are the BangkokPost.com figures as of 6.30pm (1130 GMT).
The constituency candidacy (total 400 seats) throughout Thailand.
People Power party: 220 seats
Democrat: 162 seats
Chart Thai: 40 seats
Puea Pandin: 30 seats
Ruamjaithai Chartpattana: 13 seats
Matchimathipataya: 10 seats
Pracharaj: 5 seats
Unofficial results of the party-list candidacy (total 80 seats)
People Power party: 34 seats
Democrat: 33 seats
Chart Thai: 4 seats
Puea Pandin: 7 seats
Ruamjaithai Chartpattana: 1 seat
(BangkokPost.com)
The Palang Prachachon (People Power) party loyal to Thaksin Shinawatra won Sunday's election, but appeared to fall just short of a clear parliamentary majority. Still: "I will be the next premier for sure," said PPP leader Samak Sundaravej.
"The coup is dead," Samak told a press conference after unofficial results showed his party had won at least 230 of the 480 contested seats at Sunday's polls.
Samak, 72, is likely to become Thailand's 25th prime minister. "Now the people have had their say. The numbers that came out are an answer to those people," meaning the military.
With 92 per cent of the votes counted near midnight, PPP had 228 seats and the Democrats had 166. In all, 241 seats are needed fora majority.
The midnight results had Chart Thai party with 39 seats, while Puea Pandin party got 26 seats, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana won 10 seats, Matchimathipataya had 7 seats and Pracharaj had four.
Two independent polls showed the People Power Party ahead by a wide margin in a strong repudiation of the generals, who had worked hard to discredit former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and to neutralise his supporters.
"I voted for Thaksin's party," said Siriporn Buntam, the owner of a small restaurant in the rice-growing province of Lopburi, west of Bangkok. Thaksin was the only politician who cared about the poor, she said. "Only when he was prime minister did we really get attention."
Sanit Chutipattana, 58, a salesman in Yala, in the Democrat Party's stronghold in southern Thailand, said he, too, was supporting Thaksin.
"I want Thaksin back," he said. "Thaksin is smarter, better in economics. In the past I had voted for Democrats but this time I changed my mind. It's time to change."
(Compiled by BangkokPost.com)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Earlier report:
The PPP has taken 220 of the 400 seats in constituency voting, and has won 35 of the 80 party-list seats.
If those results are confirmed in official vote-counting Sunday night and Monday, the People Power party would easily capture more than the 241 seats needed to form a government itself - with no need of a coalition.
Observers cautioned there are several roadblocks ahead, even after final vote-counting is confirmed. For one thing, there are dozens of challenges alleging vote fraud, many against PPP candidates.
It must be stressed the results are unofficial, and based on a combination of exit polls and early vote results trickling in as reported by news media at polling stations.
Although Bangkok media agreed that early counting gave the PPP an outright majority, pollsters who conducted exit polls after the Sunday voting showed slight but important differences.
A Dusit Poll for Bangkok's Suan Dusit Rajabhat University forecast that PPP had won a majority of 256 seats, compared to 162 for the rival Democrat Party. However, Abac Poll of Assumption University said its survey showed PPP had won 202 seats, falling short of an outright majority, with the Democrats taking 146.
An Election Commission official told the Associated Press that with 40 per cent of the vote counted, the pro-Thaksin PPP has won 229 seats. The EC vote is official, but the agency has not actually released any final results.
Here are the BangkokPost.com figures as of 6.30pm (1130 GMT).
The constituency candidacy (total 400 seats) throughout Thailand.
People Power party: 220 seats
Democrat: 162 seats
Chart Thai: 40 seats
Puea Pandin: 30 seats
Ruamjaithai Chartpattana: 13 seats
Matchimathipataya: 10 seats
Pracharaj: 5 seats
Unofficial results of the party-list candidacy (total 80 seats)
People Power party: 34 seats
Democrat: 33 seats
Chart Thai: 4 seats
Puea Pandin: 7 seats
Ruamjaithai Chartpattana: 1 seat
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