TUL PINKAEW & ANCHALEE KONGRUT

Bangkok councillors who resigned from the city council to run for parliament left eight empty seats to be filled through by-elections.

The Thai Rak Thai and Democrat parties are both hoping to make a sweep of the eight unoccupied seats and gain the upper hand in the city council.

The Democrats are only slightly ahead at the moment with 30 council seats. But it is no secret that city councillors are doubly important because they also act as canvassers at the grassroots level, campaigning and working towards making their respective parties look good and trustworthy.

"There are eight empty council seats waiting for Thai Rak Thai candidates to fill," said Suranun Vejchachiwa, the party spokesman.

Still bubbling from their landslide general election victory, which saw only four Democrats win in Bangkok's 37 constituencies, Mr Suranun said his party would field more than one candidate in each district in the city council by-elections.

"We feel that fielding more than one candidate in each district will provide voters a chance to compare the people we have put in the race as we are not so concerned about losing," he said.

Don Muang district would likely see the wife of the disqualified Thai Rak Thai candidate Karun Hosakul, Radchadawan Hosakul, compete against former Democrat MP Sutee Phonarumit and Chart Thai's Pongsak Kitpitak. While in the Sai Mai constituency, Pavena Hongsakul's son Supamon Huta-singh will go against beaten Democrat, Decha Yim-amnuay's brother, Pruetinai Yim-amnuay.

Thai Rak Thai has still to name its candidates to compete against Eak Junglerdsiri, husband of the unexpected Democrat MP in Phra Nakhon, Jermmard Junglerdsiri, and Apimuk Chanthawanit, son of Democrat shock loser Somkiat Chanthawanit in Bang Kholaem.

"Apirak Khosayothin, throughout his term as governor, has done nothing to please the people of Bangkok. We, therefore, need as many Thai Rak Thai city councillors as possible to become an effective legislative watchdog in the city council," said Mr Suranun.