By Thai Newsroom Reporters
DOZENS OF PREVIOUSLY PROMINENT figures from various walks of life are contesting the complicated, triple-tiered election for senator ranging from a former prime minister, former MPs, senators and provincial governors to former TV news anchors.
Competing in an unprecedented, electoral mode in which no constituents are involved in selecting a total of 200 senators are 46,000-plus contestants running in Bangkok and all 76 provinces.
Unlike an election for MPs, none of the senatorial candidates will be voted by any constituents nationwide but picked by fellow contestants at each of the triple-tiered stages, ranging from district and provincial to national levels.
All contestants, divided into 20 categories of profession, will not only pick candidates of the same professions as theirs but vote for those of different careers. All candidates are legally allowed to pick two contestants which may include themselves for one at each level.
None is legally allowed to currently occupy any government positions or have been registered as current members of political parties.
The district-level election is scheduled for June 9, followed by the provincial level on June 16 and finally the national level on June 26 with official results of the complicated race to parliament scheduled to be announced by the polling agency on July 2.
The outstanding contestants include “non-partisan” former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat who is running in Chiang Mai and is more or less speculated to be named Senate Speaker, given his personal status as a brother-in-law to the billionaire, politically powerful de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra.
Prominent candidates running in Bangkok include former Democrat MP Wilat Chandpithak, former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, TV news commentator Nantana Nantawaropat, actor Arun Pawilai, former senator Prateep Ungsongtham and Thai Hotels Association president Tianprasit Chaiyapatranand.
Candidates for Nonthaburi include former deputy agriculture & cooperatives minister Nathee Khlibtong, former senator Direk Thuengfung and former TV Channel 7 news manager Sompoj Toraksa,
Running in Ayutthaya are, among others, former Ayutthaya provincial administration head Somsong Pancharoenworakul, former senator Khanipong Khaewatana and former Ayutthaya provincial governor Virachai Nakmat.
Contesting for senator in Nakhon Pathom are, among others, former deputy police chief Sriwara Rangsibhramanakul, former election commissioner Chamnanpat Harnkaeo, former MP Chumpol Kanchana, former MP Sarawut Niyomsap, former MP Korkiat Siriyasatian and former MP Rawang Netpokaeo.
Running in Nakhon Sri Thammarat are, among others, former MP/former senator Tripol Johjit, former Rubber Authority of Thailand board chairman Prapan Boonyakiat and former Nakhon Sri Thammarat governor Apinand Puakpong.
Contenders for senator in Buriram include former MP/former senator Karun Sai-ngarm and former MP Prasert Lertyaso.
Contestants in Lampang include political activist Vera Somkuamkid and former deputy Lampang provincial governors Chuliwand Saisingtong and Somkiat Tantrakul.
Others include former MP/former TV news anchor Jakapan Yomjinda who is running for senator in Rayong, former senator Singchai Toongtong in Uthai Thani and former Thammasat law dean Panat Tasneeyanond in Tak.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Election Commission logo placed over an office where contestants applied to run the senatorial election.
Front Page: Former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat. Both photos: Thai Rath
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