Pita declares victory in Rayong by-election

MOVE Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat tonight (Sep. 10) declared victory and thanked the people of Rayong’s district 3 for giving his party’s candidate almost 40,000 votes after unofficial results of the by-election held there were announced at 7 p.m., Matichon newspaper said.

By unofficial count Move Forward candidate Mr. Phongsathorn Sornphetnarin, or Yo, received 39,296 votes followed by Democrat Party candidate Dr. Banyat Chetanchan with 26,466 votes while Nation Building Labour Party candidate Pol. SubLt. Rueangchai Sombatphuthorn got 881 votes.

There were a total of 207 polling stations and altogether 122,582 voters.

Pita said that he will be using the political momentum gained from this by-election victory as the first button to push when launching future campaigns.

He also thanked Mr. Nakhornchai Khunnarong for making a sacrifice in resigning as an elected lawmaker after the issue of him having served one and half years in jail on a theft charge in 1999 was raised.

Nakhonchai said he had not suspected that a crime committed over two decades ago could have prohibited him from contesting the May 14 election in this eastern constituency.

“I will probably return to Bangkok to take charge as the opposition in checking the work of the government when it declares its policy statement during Sep. 11-12 (Monday and Tuesday). I ask the people to follow the work of my friends in the House of Representatives,” Pita said.

CAPTIONS:

Top: Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, left, raising arms with his party’s by-election winner Mr. Phongsathorn Sornpetnarin, second left, and other party members after unofficial results were declared this evening. Photo: Matichon

Below and Front Page: Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat and by-election winner Mr. Phongsathorn Sornpetnarin campaigning in this Rayong district. Photos: Sanook.com