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Party leaders on PM's turf

10-seat sweep for TRT now unlikely

Democrat leader Banyat Bantadtan, second right, helps party candidates Duantemduang na Chiang Mai, left, and Jakrawan Phanwong, centre, campaign in Muang district of Chiang Mai yesterday. — SUBIN KHUENKAEW
Chiang Mai _ Leaders of the three main parties held campaign rallies in the prime minister's home province yesterday with political observers ruling out Thai Rak Thai's chances of a clean sweep of all 10 seats here.

Thai Rak Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra, Democrat leader Banyat Bantadtan and Mahachon founder Sanan Kachornprasart were fiercely fighting for this Thai Rak Thai stronghold.

''Thai Rak Thai will take at most eight seats from Chiang Mai,'' said a local observer, a millionare businessman, who was surprised the party's popularity has waned.

Mr Thaksin wants all seats and his younger sister Yaowapha Wongsawat was put in charge of the northern campaign.

The Democrats' two favourites are Yongyuth Suwaparp in constituency 9 Chai Prakan, Chiang Dao, Wiang Haeng and Fang districts; and Ging-garn na Chiang Mai in constituency 4 covering Sansai, Phrao and some parts of Mae Taeng district. Mrs Ging-garn's daughter, Capt Duantemduang, will also have a close fight with Thai Rak Thai's Pakorn Buranuprakorn in constituency 1 of Muang district.

A Thai Rak Thai canvasser admitted constituency 1 will be a tough fight since Mr Pakorn had firm support from lower-income people while Capt Duantemduang enjoyed support from middle-class voters.

Mahachon secretary-general Jadet Ingsawang was confident the party could take not less than two provincial seats from Boonchuey Poojchinaphan running in constituency 6 of Samoeng, Hang Dong and Sanpatong districts and Noraphol Tantimontri in constituency 8 running against one of TRT's weakest contenders, Panintra Pakkasem.

Maj-Gen Sanan last night launched a campaign in constituencies 6, 7 and 8 which he hopes his party will capture.

In the Thai Rak Thai camp, Phayap Shinawatra, Mr Thaksin's younger brother running in constituency 2 of Saraphi and part of Muang district, Boonsong Teriyapirom, a former MP from Chiang Mai's constituency 3 of Mae Rim and Mae Tang, and Santi Tansuhat in constituency 10 of Fang and Mae-ai districts are widely considered favourites to win.

Pornchai At-thapriyakul, former Chiang Mai MP from constituency 5 of Doi Saket and San Kamphaeng districts, was also seen as another firm TRT contender.

Mr Thaksin yesterday campaigned in Sanpatong and Chom Thong districts for candidates Nopakoon Ratpathai in constituency 6 and Suraphol Kiatchaiyakorn in constituency 7 of Mae Wang, Doi Lo and Chom Thong districts.

''The prime minister skipped a rally at Hot district since he saw no hope for Ms Panintra,'' said a Thai Rak Thai activist. A local observer was pessimistic about Ms Panintra's chances since several polls including ones conducted by TRT and special branch police found Ms Panintra was trailing behind Noraphol Tantimontri, a nephew of Amnuay Yossuk, a veteran Chiang Mai politician and former deputy finance minister.

Another strong contender in the constituency is the Democrat Supachai Nimmanhaeminda, a nephew of former finance minister Tarrin Nimmanhaeminda.
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