Do you know any of the local candidates?
No, I don’t. I’m not really interested.
Who will you vote for in the election? Why?
Chuwit. He’s cool. I don’t know who to choose. None of the candidates are that good, so I might as well go for Chuwit.
Why aren’t you really interested in politics?
It’s full of lies and all about fooling people. No matter who you choose, they’re all bad.
Can anything change your mind about Chuwit?
If the Red Shirts burn down the city again, I might go for Abhisit.
What do you want the next government to do?
Solve the conflicts between the people in this country. And fix the transport links, like adding more routes to the BTS and MRT.
How do you feel about the upcoming election? I’m just like, we’re voting—again? I’m sick of this. Can we get this voting over with?
Do you think it matters who wins? Will it make a difference, will it change the country?
Well, as long as it’s not Pheu Thai.
Do you think your vote matters?
It’s one vote. It won’t make any difference.
Do you talk about politics at home or at your office?
Not really. The people around me aren’t really interested. Maybe they’re bored of it. Even my friends aren’t interested in politics.
Which is your favorite poster?
The one with Chuwit pointing in your face. It’s cool. And it’s not like your average election poster.
When you vote, do you consider the party or the platform?
The platform. Hopefully, candidates will include something about “no corruption.” Some stress healthcare, some say they want to improve taxes. But when it comes from the candidates, of course, it all sounds nice.
What has grabbed your attention so far?
I read about Pheu Thai Party’s credit cards for farmers policy in the newspaper. I don’t know if it’s going to work or not, but it’s a good policy and I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes.
What problem do you want the next government to solve?
Inflation. Everything is unreasonably expensive now. Food prices have almost doubled. The fruit from fruit stalls are usually B10 but now they’re B15. These are basic products. The lives of Bangkokians are getting harder and harder especially for people like me who pay taxes.
How do you feel about the upcoming election?
I feel good. This is how [democracy] works, not because a group protests and demands an election.
Do you think it’s important to Thailand who wins?
It is important. Everyone can be corrupt. They’re might be good and bad in the government, but the right leader can direct the country on the right path. If there is fraud, the leader can quickly fight back.
Do you think your vote makes a difference?
Yes. Every vote counts.
Do you talk politics at home?
No, because everyone thinks differently and we don’t have the same opinions. Politics and religion are not subjects to be discussed.
Do you think if Pheu Thai wins the election, the military will interfere?
I don’t think so. I think the military is rational. They only try to protect the citizens.
Any posters grab your attention?
Usually I hate posters; they distract me when I drive. Chuwit’s are a headache. I don’t like them at all. And the ones with the animals in suits are too aggressive. But if I had to pick one it’s the one with Khun Surachai on it saying “Love Peace.” It’s a new party.
Do you know any of the local candidates?
No. I haven’t looked into any of them yet.
What do you want the next government to do?
First of all, do something about inflation. Prices are too high and my income doesn’t balance out with my costs.
Do you vote in Bangkok?
No, I live in Samut Prakan and vote in Korat.
How do you feel about the upcoming election?
Mostly I just want to see some changes. Will things get better after the election? Now people can just hope.
Do you think your vote makes a difference?
Even if it’s one vote, it still matters. Sometimes one vote is what’s needed to win.
Do you talk about politics at home?
Not really. We just don’t have the time. We don’t really talk about this stuff.
Has something related to the campaign ever made you angry?
No. It’s their right to campaign and try to stand out so they can attract people. I have no reason to be angry. If they don’t campaign then how are we supposed to know about their policies?
Do you think candidates will keep their promises?
Not a hundred percent, no. But there must be some things they can do. I just don’t know, I guess. I don’t really follow news about politics. But you still have to go out and buy raw materials and stuff, and when there’s a new government, prices increase. Everything’s expensive. Since the start of the year, prices have increased.
Do you know any of the local candidates?
I vote in my home town, which is Petchaboon. The local Pheu Thai candidate there is Surasuk. It’s the party that I like the most. He always wins the election. I’m voting for him for sure. Nothing can change my mind. This party has never disappointed me. All the campaigns [Pheu Thai] launched are all clear and really happen. For example, the 30 baht health care program.
What are you looking for in a candidate?
I take a look at the campaign and what the candidate is promoting. Pheu Thai tells us straight up what they can really take action on. Other parties seem like they don’t really care if their promises come true or not. For example, there was a campaign where you could borrow money from the Government Savings Bank. I went there for many days and didn’t end up getting a loan. Now the government is dissolved and I still haven’t gotten money from the bank. But it was Thai Rak Thai that changed motorcycle taxis from normal white license plates to the yellow taxi license plate for us to be able to work as a legal taxi service.
What do you want the next government to do?
I just want the new government to do the things they promised when they were canvassing. The first thing I would like them to do is to stimulate the Thai economy. Back when Thaksin was in government, I had more customers than I do today.
How do you feel about the election?
I’m okay with it. Having a legal election is good enough for me. But actually, they should have dissolved the parliament a long time ago. Unless they rig the election, Pheu Thai will win.
Do you feel your vote matters?
Yes. I think that my vote is important because one vote does make a difference. And I’m the kind of person who cares and likes to know about politics.
Which is your favorite poster and why?
“Vote No.” I like the monkey and the banana. It’s hilarious. But of course I like Pheu Thai ones even better, particularly those with Yingluck Shinawatra. I’m thinking of taking 50-100 Pheu Thai posters back home after election day to rebuild the roof of my house.
Who is your favourite candidate right now?
If I have to choose, I’d choose Yingluck. When Thaksin was in power, the economy was starting to improve and when the economy improves, everything improves.
Is there anything that can change your mind?
No, I’ve already decided on Yingluck. The Democrat party, they’ve been in power for two years and nothing’s changed. I think it’s time to let different people have a try.
Which problems do you want them to address?
I want to see the economy turn around. And I want them to fix the traffic in Bangkok. It’s a huge problem. I want them to finish the MRT and BTS projects.
Do you talk about politics at home or at work?
Yeah, at home I talk about it with my family. My mom wants to vote Democrat, but I like the Red Shirts. But it’s not a problem. At school, we censor ourselves. We don’t want to disagree on too many things because then we’ll just argue.
Which posters do you like best?
Chuwit’s posters! They’re very provocative and in-your-face. They were the first ones I noticed. When you look at them, they hit you deeply.
Do you like your local candidates?
Nope. None of them so far. They’re boring. They’re the same old people. Like Chuwit—he’s gonna be there forever.
Are you going to go vote?
Yes, that’s for sure. But I don’t like any candidate in particular. I just like the parties. I’m going to vote by party.
Which party?
Democrats. I think that the new generation is more educated. They don’t stick to the same old narrative. Some of them have really proved that there are quality people. Like Minister of Finance Mr. Korn Chatikavanij. I think he has great ideas.
How about Pheu Thai?
I hate Thaksin. I hate Pheu Thai. I hate the Red Shirts. I hate anyone that uses violence.
Do you think the Democrats will intervene if Pheu Thai wins?
No they’re not going to. Their name is “Democrat.” It’s democracy, right?
Some people talk about how it’s been two years and nothing’s changed.
Well some things have changed. It just takes time to build up from ground zero. People just need to be more cooperative and more positive, not just keep complaining and thinking that other people are going to solve their problems for them. They have to do it themselves.
What’s your favorite poster?
Some of them are pretty stupid and I love it. Like the monkey with the banana. I think they’re tearing them down now, so that’s a shame. The idea is really stupid, but still, I love the monkey. It’s funny. It has bananas on it.
What do you think about Chuwit?
He’s just a joke. But, it’s good to have him. He’s so determined, and I love determined people, but what’s he going to do? He’s not clear about his goals.
He says he wants to stop corruption.
Every government has corruption! I mean, I care about corruption, but as long as they don’t do it so obviously that they have to investigate, I’m alright with it. Because even the Democrats, I love them, but I know that some of them are going to be corrupt. Not the government itself, but some people in the government.
What do you want most out of the new government?
I want honesty. I don’t care if it takes time. Seriously, they have to bring it to Thai people for real.
Have you decided how you’re voting yet?
Yes. I’m voting Democrat.
Can anything change your mind about your decision?
I’ll have to look at the campaign promises and see if they’re realistic. I look at both the campaign and the person. From what I’ve seen, the most realistic ones are from the Democrat party.
For example?
Like free education and stuff about water and electricity costs and gas prices. They don’t seem too hard to achieve. If they can do what they’ve promised in their campaign, it would be good. If not, then things they’re already working on can be improved.
How do you feel about the election?
I feel that Thailand is still backwards. Most people lack education and are narrow-minded. Truthfully, they should let the current government finish serving its four-year term.
Have you made up your mind for the upcoming election?
I’m voting Democrat and for Suchart Bandasak. I see his work and things have improved, like paving roads.
What could make you change you mind about choosing this person?
Nothing, because I haven’t seen the work of other candidates yet. But for this person, he’s been around for a long time. He’s been with many parties but currently he’s with the Democrat party.
When you choose a candidate, what do you look for?
Their work and their campaign promises, and the improvements made to the neighborhood I live in. I don’t look at the party, I look more at the candidate.
This Durakit Pundit University and the Nation Group poll predicts Puea Thai will snap up 19 constituencies, versus 5 for the Democrats. But accounting for margins of error, actual results could be very different.
• There are two lists, 375 single constituency seats and 125 party list seats.
• The constituency list is a winner-takes-all system. One victorious candidate will emerge in each one of the 375 single constituencies.
• The 125 party list seats, on the other hand, are divided according to the percentage of votes received by each party. For example, if a party got 20% of the party list votes, it gets 25 seats.
B100,000
Reward offered by police for catching professional hit men in a bid to increase security for candidates.
75
Number of hit men on the police’s list.
100,000
Police officers assigned to protect candidates
256
Candidates from Pheu Thai and Democrat parties who have sought protection during the campaigning season so far
90,000
Polling stations nationwide
B1.5 million
Campaign budget per MP
82
Percentage of people who intend to vote, according to DPU poll, surveying 6,000 people
70, 60, 85
Percentage of voter turnout in 2001, 2005, and 2007 respectively
53.5million
Number of ballots printed for the party-list vote.
47.3million
Eligible voters in Thailand
3.3million
Extra ballots allowed to be printed according to law
6.2million
Extra ballots being printed.
1,246
total number of damaged election signs.
720
total number that belong to the Democrats
A completely biaised roundup of those MP hopefuls with the most entertainment value
Chitpas Bhirombhakdi (Democrat Party MP, Constituency 5: Dusit, Ratchatewi)
Watch out Yingluck, this fresh face maintains that she wants to be Thailand’s first female PM. She’s the daughter of a renaissance man, Chuntinant, and a style guru, ML Piyapas. More importantly, Chitpas is the heiress of the Singha Corporation. This high-society debutante seems to have her path paved in gold—and maybe some leftover Leo Beer calendars showing chicks wearing only paint that she passed around to her friends in parliament last year. Will people just get over it already?
Yaowapa Boorapholchai (Chart Pattana Puea Pandit Party, Constituency 11)
She’s a Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party candidate that really kicks ass. She roundhoused her way into Thailand’s limelight, as she nabbed Bronze in Taekwando for Thailand in the 2004 Olympic games in Greece—the only medalled olympian coming out of Thailand that wasn’t a boxer or a weightlifter. She plans to use her champion status to help her party build sports complexes in every tambon across the country. She’s been the underdog and has beaten powerhouses before. Let’s see if she can do it again.
Sunisa Lertpakawat (PHeu Thai party MP, Constituency 30, Bang Kae)
In 2006, Lt. Sunisa Lertpakawat dropped B100,000 to travel to London and interview Thaksin Shinawatra, which subsequently turned into the book Thaksin, Where Are You. A reporter for the Thai Army’s Channel 5, she was sacked by the top brass. (They’re not huge fans of Thaksin.) As she has been handed a Pheu Thai dominated consistuency, it seems Loong Maew is finally paying her back for sticking her neck out.
Tankhun Jittit-sara (Democrat party MP, Constituency 12, Don Muang)
You might remember him by his model/actor handle, Ekachai Burinapanit, and in particular his role as Wit in Iron Ladies (2000), a based-on-a-true-story movie about a group of gay and transvestite volleyball players who became national champions in Thailand. He had to turn down the sequel to study for his masters, he said at the time. Or was he already considering a career in politics—a path not-so-compatible with transgender film franchises? He’s in a hardcore Puea Thai constituency and has complained about his posters getting vandalized but you gotta admire the determination.
Chuwit Kamolvisit (RAK PRATHET THAI)
Everybody’s favorite massage parlor millionaire turned politician is looking for a happy ending, because according to him, he’s running one last time and he’s not in politics to be the outsider looking in. His in-your-face campaign posters accurately reflect his personality: angry and unrestrained. His latest poster is in big bold English letters, stating “NO CORRUPTION,” which is the core message of his campaign. According to him, parliament needs a shake up because, “politicians are like diapers, the more you change them, the better.” Clae Sea
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