By Thai Newsroom Reporters
A DEMOCRAT PARTY CANDIDATE has won today’s (May 21) by-election for MP of Ratchaburi, according to unofficial reports.
The Democrat, Chaitip Kamonpantip, won 51,743 votes from constituents in Constituency 3 covering Bhotharam and Jom Bueng districts of the western province.
Chaitip who has earlier performed as provincial councillor representing Bhotharam district is replacing ex-Palang Pracharath MP Pareena Kraikupt, who was earlier deprived by court of the lawmaker’s status due to her convicted encroachment upon a forest reserve in part of her own constituency.
Defeated in the race to parliament were Thai Liberal Party contender Nattanan Nitiponyangsa-nga, a woman lawyer who secured 16,853 votes and Equality Party candidate Pinyosilp Sangwanwong, a former deputy head of a subdistrict administrative organisation who was given 1,889 votes.
CAPTION:
Winner of the Ratchaburi by-election Chaitip Kamonpantip, left, with Democrat Party leader Jurin Laksanawisit who concurrently performs as deputy prime minister-cum-commerce minister at rear. Photo: Matichon
Also read: Ratchaburi’s by-election campaign refreshed by Democrat leader’s visit
Pareena deprived of MP status, banned for life from politics
Palang Pracharath’s decision to skip by-election shows House dissolution likely looming
