Controversial political figures were among candidates signing up to run in the senate elections on March 30 when candidacy registration opened on Tuesday.
Withawas Photisuthon, centre, is greeted by supporters after arriving at a meeting hall in Muang district, Suphan Buri, on Tuesday to sign up to run in the senate elections on March 30. (Post Today photo)
Attention largely focused on the northern and northeastern provinces where household names opted to compete for some of the 77 seats for elected senators, one from each province, in the next upper house.
The most controversial was Krissanapong Prombuengram, a leader of the Rak Chiang Mai 51 group, who was among 11 candidates signing up to contest the election for the province's single seat.
The red-shirt group is a staunch protector of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and operates under the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) umbrella.
His opponents for the seat include Natnicha Permthong-in, the wife of former permanent secretary for defence Gen Sathien. Gen Sathien was at odds with then defence minister Sukampol Suwannathat, who transferred him to an inactive post in 2012.
Another UDD-linked candidate, Aphaporn Sarakham, registered for the Udon Thani seat. She is the wife of Kwanchai, a red-shirt leader in the northeastern province who is still in hospital in Bangkok after being hit by bullets fired at him when he was outside his house in Muang district on Jan 22.
Wan Suwannapong, an legal adviser to the UDD, has offered himself to represent Khon Kaen.
Karun Sai-ngam, a former senator and former charter writer who is an opponent of Thaksin, hopes to return as the new representative for Buri Ram province.
Tuenjai Deetes, a former senator and an active social activist who founded the Hill Area Development Foundation, hopes to win the seat in Chiang Rai, but she gaces a strong challenge from Sakchai Chongsutthamanee, a young brother of Wanchai Chongsutthamanee, the chief of Chiang Rai Municipality. The family name is very well known in the northern province.
Other names with links to politicians include Phumsit Munkong, who is running in Sukhothai. The former teacher and provincial organisation administration member cultivates close ties with veteran Pheu Thai member Somsak Thepsuthin.
Suchen Thuathip, a lawyer, is running in Chachoengsao, banking on his close ties with the Chaisaeng family. This family's name is very prominent in the central province.
Apichart Damdee, a former charter writer, has registered in Krabi.
In Bangkok, former Crime Suppression Division chief Pol Maj Gen Supisarn Bhakdinarinath is pitted against Srisuwan Janya, president of the Stop Global Warming Association, and lawyer Leena Jungjanya, a businesswoman.
Candicay registration remains open until March 8. The polls will be held on March 30. Voters in each of the 77 provinces, including Bangkok, will select one representative for their province.
The other seats in the 150-member Senate are appointed. (continued below)
Bangkok Post photos
The Election Commission (EC) said the first day of registrations went without problems in all provinces. With 239 candidates registering in 75 provinces. No candidates registered in Sing Buri or Phayao on Tuesday, but they have several more days.
Chiang Mai is set to be the hottest contest so far with 11 candidates, according to the EC.
EC secretary-general Puchong Nuttrawong said the candidates are strictly required to campaign only on their perceived role as a senator, and are limited to personal introductions and explanations of the their vision for the job.