ONNUCHA HUTASINGH

Ubon Ratchathani _ Two Democrat candidates in Ubon Ratchathani say plain hard work brought them victory in Sunday's general election.

Issara Somchai, MP-elect for Ubon Ratchathani's constituency 8, said he and Democrat veteran Withoon Nambutr, MP-elect for constituency 3, have worked closely with their constituents over the past four years, winning praise from a large number of voters.

Mr Issara and Mr Withoon were the only two Democrats from the Northeast to make it into parliament amid the overwhelming popularity of Thai Rak Thai its leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

``Sunday's election was a most tiring race. We had to fight not only rival candidates but also all forms of state power,'' said Mr Issara. ``I don't know whether the prime minister is aware of this. Local officials had favoured the government party as they feared their careers might be affected if they failed to do so.''

He attributed the decline in the Democrat party's popularity in the Northeast to the weaknesses of key party figures in charge of the party's election campaign for the region and limited funding.

Running a political campaign in the Northeast required huge spending, he said.

The Democrats' policies were second to none, but the party had a limited budget available for explaining its policies to voters.

``The Democrat party was once popular in the Northeast. In recent years, the number of party candidates who get elected has drastically dropped.

``If the situation continues this way, the party will be wiped out. Political strategies need to be adjusted to prepare the party for the next elections,'' said Mr Issara.

Sharing the same view, Mr Withoon said he had to campaign hard in his constituency to combat the rising popularity of Mr Thaksin.

While working in the constituency, he appealed for votes from local people, asking they give him and his party a chance to prove their worth again. He received about 39,000 votes this time, higher than the last election when he finished with about 36,000 votes.

Although he was one of the only two Democrats re-elected in the Northeast, Mr Withoon did not feel alone on his political journey. He believed politicians who were determined and sincere about working for the public would gain trust and support from people.

The six-time Democrat MP said northeastern people needed MPs they could turn to for help.

Lack of financial support from the party fr its MPs may force several members to leave the party, even though they still had faith in it.

However, he believed the Democrat party would positively change in the next four years as good people from Mahachon and other small parties may join it.