Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra of the Democrat Party could be excused for feeling frustrated with efforts to block him at almost every turn from becoming city governor for a second term.
Sukhumbhand: Faces Supreme Court hurdles
No-holds-barred political rivalry means the unscrupulous try every possible way to undermine others, and the March 3 governor election displays just how easy it is for unseemly national politics to penetrate down to the local level.
However, almost a month after the governor election, the Election Commission (EC) finally endorsed MR Sukhumbhand's victory on Wednesday.
MR Sukhumbhand had previously been spared a red card after the EC found he did not defame the Pheu Thai Party during the city election as alleged by a former senator and a voter.
Nevertheless, MR Sukhumbhand is not yet out of the woods. After April 2, when the deadline for the EC to disqualify MR Sukhumbhand lapses, the power to red-card him switches to the Supreme Court's Election Cases Division.
If the EC comes up with solid evidence, it can still approach the court which can then judge MR Sukhumbhand.
The Bangkok election committee has forwarded its opinions on five complaints lodged over the March 3 governor election to the central EC.
Among the complaints sent to the commission were accusations that Democrat Party MP for Songkhla Sirichoke Sopha and media expert Seree Wongmontha had violated the election law.
Mr Sirichoke allegedly defamed the Pheu Thai Party by posting pictures and comments on his Facebook page about the burning of buildings in Bangkok during the 2010 violence.
Mr Seree was accused of posting a message on his Facebook page trying to persuade voters not to choose Pheu Thai candidate Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen. The Bangkok EC declined to reveal what its opinions were and simply said the central EC would make a final decision on the complaints.
This has certainly upset the Democrat Party and its supporters who mounted a campaign to ratchet up pressure on the EC, a party source said.
They earlier said the EC would have a lot of explaining to do, especially to the more than 1.2 million Bangkok residents who voted for MR Sukhumbhand, if it decides to take further action.
The party source said MR Sukhumbhand was upset that allegations against him had delayed his resumption of the governor seat. The Democrats, meanwhile, feel the need to step in and have a greater role in helping MR Sukhumbhand run City Hall.
The source said it does not look as though the party will allow him to have his own way as before.
The Democrats are preparing to launch projects that will appeal to Bangkok residents, with a focus on efforts to improve the qualify of life in the city, according to the source.
One project is to develop the Makkasan area into a new public park in the capital rather than turn it into a commercial complex as reported.
The party is expected to unveil more development projects on April 6, which is the party's birthday.
'Reds' face off in Chiang Mai vote
Much attention will swing to the Chiang Mai by-election next month as much for the fact that Thaksin Shinawatra's younger sister will be standing - and be certain to win - as for the fact that the battle will be ''red'' all the way.
Yaowapa: Landslide win unlikely
It is also expected to be a clash between contestants from two influential families in Chiang Mai who also represent the country's two main political rivals.
Thaksin's sister Yaowapa ''Daeng'' (red) Wongsawat will represent the Pheu Thai Party while the opposition Democrat Party decided at the last minute to field Kingkan ''Daeng'' Na Chiang Mai in the by-election set for April 21.
The by-election was called after Kasem Nimmonrat quit as MP for the constituency after less than a year in parliament, citing health problems.
Mr Kasem said his interest was elsewhere. He now wants to devote his time to working in local politics.
Mr Kasem has been fending off allegations he was filling in as interim MP for the Shinawatras to be replaced when the ''real deal'' came along.
Although the two Daengs are from two powerful political families, the Shinawatras' clout extends far beyond the northern city.
Many Democrats say the by-election will be a test of strength and they will be closely watching it. Despite the Shinawatras' commanding edge over their rivals, since Constituency 3 in San Kamphaeng district is the family's traditional turf, the Democrats are looking to capitalise from the electioneering.
Political observers believe the opposition party will have to seize the opportunity to zero in on the government's ''misrule''.
The Na Chiang Mais, descendants of Chiang Mai's royal family, count several well-known politicians in their ranks. They include Thawatwong Na Chiang Mai, a former MP for the now-defunct New Aspiration Party, Ms Kingkan, and their daughter, Duentemduang, who was once the Chiang Mai mayor.
Chiang Mai may be the heartland for red-shirt supporters and credited with sweeping Pheu Thai to power, but a landslide victory for Ms Yaowapa cannot be guaranteed, according to observers.
The Na Chiang Mais are believed to have a sizeable following in the province and that could be a balancing factor for the upcoming poll.
The observers agree it is not wrong to say the Na Chiang Mai family is the main competitor to the Shinawatras at all levels of Chiang Mai elections.
However, the observers also believe it will not be possible for Ms Kingkan to beat Ms Yaowapa in the poll.
Rumours are spreading that if Ms Yaowapa wins the by-election, she will use her MP status as a stepping stone toward becoming a substitute premier in case Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is found guilty by the National Anti-Corruption Commission of concealing assets involving a 30-million-baht loan made to a company in which her spouse Anusorn Amornchat was a shareholder in 2006.
It is expected the April 21 poll will see plenty of action by the two main parties given the political implications for the government.
Sodsri bows out with guns blazing
Sodsri Satayathum, who will complete her tenure as an election commissioner in September, is likely to be remembered for her thoroughness.
Sodsri: ‘EC decision too hasty’
A source in the Election Commission (EC) said Ms Sodsri was the only one among the five commissioners who voted against endorsing MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra's second term as Bangkok governor this week.
She reasoned the commission should spend all the time it needs before the deadline to investigate a complaint against the Democrat Party candidate who won the March 3 election with 1.2 million votes.
The complaint was that MR Sukhumbhand may be complicit in alleged slander that Democrat MP Sirichoke Sopha levelled against the Pheu Thai candidate, Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen.
The Bangkok election committee, the EC's provincial panel, earlier found MR Sukhumbhand had no hand in the alleged slander. Mr Sirichoke was said to have posted on his Facebook page pictures of a city burning with references to the 2010 riots and an implied link to the Pheu Thai Party.
The EC has until April 2, or 30 days after the governor election to decide whether to disqualify the candidate and call for a new poll.
The power to red-card the candidate will revert to the Supreme Court's Election Cases Division after the deadline.
Ms Sodsri, according to the EC source, felt every hour counted in the investigation. The commission had several more days to look into the complaint against MR Sukhumbhand and the agency needed as much time as possible to vet the case.
And the EC has quite a few complaints related to the March 3 poll on its hands.
When Bangkok election committee chairman Pol Lt Thaweesak Tuchinda announced recently that a major news item would break later this month, he unleashed, albeit unwittingly, speculation by the media that the axe might fall on MR Sukhumbhand.
Rumours were flying that the Bangkok election committee had resolved to hand MR Sukhumbhand a yellow card. In reality, however, the committee has no such power, since the decision to yellow-card anyone lies with the EC.
Ms Sodsri was none too pleased with the Bangkok election committee over the reported resolution. She insisted the EC does not have to listen to any recommendation from the committee.
But the EC's endorsement of MR Sukhumbhand's election victory instantly dampened the speculation of him being in the hot seat.
Instead, critics have swung their attention to another governor election-related complaint directed at Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Ms Yingluck is accused of committing malfeasance by helping Pol Gen Pongsapat canvass for votes during office hours.
The source said the Bangkok election committee will be examining a video clip of Ms Yingluck being shown around a military barracks in Bangkok with top brass extending her a warm welcome.
Ms Yingluck was alleged to have been assisted by the military echelon when she asked soldiers to vote for Pol Gen Pongsapat. That was 10 days before the election.
Even after MR Sukhumbhand reported for work at City Hall, a high-profile election complaint is being followed up. However, it is the prime minister who may be in a tight corner.
Meanwhile, Ms Sodsri, who has been more verbal about the March 23 election cases than other commissioners, has not lost her hallmark thoroughness. And that is probably what she will be remembered for most when she completes her term of seven years at the EC on Sept 19.