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Novices neck and neck in city's constituency 21

AMPA SANTIMATANEDOL

Natthaya Benjasiriwan (Daengbunga), Democrat candidate in Bangkok's constituency 21, receives a garland from a Muslim woman while campigning in Chatuchak area yesterday. — Sarot meksphawannakul
Bangkok's constituency 21 sees a battle of political novices, yet it promises to be a close race this Sunday.

Democrat candidate Natthaya Benjasiriwan (Daengbu-nga) and her Thai Rak Thai rival Aekapoj Wongaraya, both Muslim, have been making door-to-door visits to their constituents, bumping into each other from time to time.

Recently they ran into each other at a mosque in tambon Thap Chang Lang and shortly later at a house where they paid last respects to a Muslim resident who had just passed away.

The Khan Na Yao-Saphan Sung constituency is considered a Thai Rak Thai stronghold and for about two decades has never been represented in the lower house by a Democrat.

Mrs Natthaya, an actress turned politician, said she is up against not only Mr Aekapoj but also the candidate's father Deputy Education Minister Aree Wongaraya, and Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, who is in charge of Thai Rak Thai campaigning in Bangkok.

However, Mrs Natthaya believes she still has a chance to win. She appears to be very popular with Muslim residents, especially the elderly, because she is well acquainted with the Muslim way of life.

But Mrs Sudarat, a former MP of this constituency, is also confident the Thai Rak Thai candidate will emerge victorious.

Some residents seem to have their own formula for choosing their representatives. Since their city and district councillors are from the Thai Rak Thai party, they should have a Democrat as their MP to monitor the government, they say.

''Some Muslims don't talk much but they've already made their choice. And they don't like people who talk too much,'' said a Muslim leader.
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