Pavena `can't shake' label of TRT backing

PRADIT RUANGDIT

Middle-class Bangkok voters handed the governor election victory yesterday to Apirak Kosayodhin who received enthusiastic support from most inner-city constituencies.

Nakharin Mektrairat, dean of Thammasat University's political science faculty, said Mr Apirak held an ``absolute, clear-cut lead'' in the inner-city constituencies of Bang Rak, Phayathai, Samhpan Thawong, Yannawa and Phra Khanong.

Pro-Apirak voters were mostly middle-class and affluent people with an understanding of politics, he said.

They also admired Mr Apirak's ability, platform and dedication as a former high-level executive, Mr Nakharin said.

Mr Apirak was president and CEO of entertainment giant Grammy and co-CEO of one of the country's largest mobile phone network providers, TA Orange.

Mr Apirak's arch-rival, Pavena Hongsakula, did hang on to her turf on Bangkok's perimeters.

The vote count there put her ahead of Mr Apirak, but only by a very narrow margin.

Mr Nakharin said the tally was indicative of where Bangkokians' loyalties rested.

``Bangkok voters don't stick to any one individual for life,'' he said. Even in constituencies where the Thai Rak Thai party dominated the political scene, such as Bueng Kum, Bang Kapi and Lat Phrao, the vote swung in Mr Apirak's favour.

Mr Nakharin said no political party could bend the decisions of Bangkok voters to its will.

Voters preferred someone they knew could work for them, he said. Ms Pavena did not project the image of an outstanding, modern administrator.

Sukhum Chaloeysap, rector of Rajabhat University's Suan Dusit campus, agreed Mr Apirak had taken inner Bangkok by storm, while Ms Pavena's lead in Sai Mai, Don Muang and Laksi was insufficient to secure her victory.

The voting pattern, he said, seemed to suggest that voters who traditionally would not have supported Mr Apirak decided to switch to him.

Mr Sukhum said Ms Pavena's votes were rather fragmented.

It was possible, he said, that voters were not comfortable with the notion that she was discreetly carrying the Thai Rak Thai party flag.

The votes cast for Chuwit Kamolvisit were spread out almost evenly in all constituencies.

Mr Chuwit's electoral success owed much to his maverick campaigning style and his bold stand against corrupt authorities, he said, adding this had impressed many young voters.

Sukhum Nualsakul, former dean of Ramkhamhaeng University's political science faculty, said the votes Mr Chuwit received represented more or less a protest vote from anti-social people and those who had lost faith in politicians.

More significantly, Mr Sukhum said, the election result showed middle-class Bangkokians were rejecting what the Thai Rak Thai was serving up to them.

Voters were also expressing their dislike for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's perceived arrogance.