Chuwit Kamolvisit is not done with politics yet. His next move will likely be the Senate election.

The chief campaigner for Chart Thai in Bangkok is sixth on the party list. And if exit polls are correct, Chart Thai will win only five party-list seats, leaving him politically unemployed.

"If I can't make it into the House, next year I'll run for a Senate seat. I'm not going to screw it up a third time if the media spotlight is still on me," he said.

For the time being, the former massage tycoon will stay with Chart Thai. "Politically speaking, I think it's worthwhile because I'm right in the middle of it. I also know that to be an MP you need to be filing complaints, suing and crying," he said.

Mr Chuwit also claimed credit for the victory of Janista "Bam" Liewchalermwong, predicted in exit polls to win Bangkok's constituency 14.

The celebrated candidate's chances were boosted when her arch-rival Karun Hosakul was disqualified a few days before the election.

Based on his popularity in last year's gubernatorial election, Mr Chuwit expected to win a minimum of 150,000 votes in Bangkok for Chart Thai, which won only 30,000 votes four years ago.

The tycoon won 300,000 votes in the race for Bangkok governor and hoped to ride that popularity to the national stage.

Mr Chuwit also planned to explore a career in broadcasting, saying he was attracted to hosting television. He insisted he did not want a political position, but a place where he could express his views.

Mr Chuwit said he hadn't relinquished his hopes entirely and was hoping Chart Thai joined a coalition government. In that scenario, one of the list-MPs would become a cabinet member, allowing him to be moved up the list, he said.

But this was unlikely, Mr Chuwit admitted, apparently not getting his hopes up too much, as Thai Rak Thai looked set to form a one-party government.

"It's just what Mr Thaksin [Shinawatra] wants. From what I see, he's no different from a fast-food chain. Quick and easy, but junk anyway. The people will keep on gobbling until they know it's bad for their health," Mr Chuwit said.