Democrats will likely continue to dominate Bangkok in the March 24 election, winning 19 of all 30 constituencies, compared to 11 of Pheu Thai, according to a poll.
Conducted by Pheu Thai, the survey focused only on three parties -- Democrat, Pheu Thai and Thai Raksa Chart, an offshoot of Pheu Thai. The results were given to Bangkok Pheu Thai MP candidates last week, a source from the party said.
The Democrat Party fielded candidates in all electoral districts in the capital. Pheu Thai sent 22 and TRC fielded eight.
The results show the Democrats will win in 19 districts, Pheu Thai in 11 while TRC candidates won’t win in any constituency. While the focus is on the three parties, there are two districts where “other parties” represent remarkably large proportions.
In district 1, Democrat Jermmas Chuenglertsiri, with 52.5% of votes, is projected to beat Leelawadee Watcharobol of Pheu Thai, who was transferred from her stronghold Dusit district and would get 30% as a result.
In district 2, Ornanong Kanchanachusak of the Democrat Party will win with 50.3%, beating ML Nattapol Devakula of TRC (37.2%), according to the poll.
In constituency 3, Democrat ML Apimongkol Sonakul, son of MR Chatumongkol Sonakul, leader of the ACT Party, is seen winning 51.4%, followed by Pongpisut Jintasopon of TRC, at 38.3%.
For districts 4-6, Democrat candidates will win by wide margins.
In district 7, both Pheu Thai and Democrat sent newcomers. Dr Kanawat Chantaralawan or “Mor Ekk” of the Democrat Party was predicted to lose out to Wattanarak Suranartyut by a small margin, at 42.6% and 44.6% respectively.
For district 8, a stronghold of the Democrats, the old party will beat Lt Sunisa Lertpakkawat, a Pheu Thai spokeswoman.
But in districts 9-12, where Pheu Thai has dominated, Surachart Thienthong, Karun Hosakul, Gp Capt Anudit Nakontap and Anusorn Panthong will each get more than 59%.
Gp Capt Anudit is projected to win the largest portion of votes in the capital, at 70%.
With two newcomers, the young-blood contest will be intense in district 13. Democrat Parit Wacharasindhu, a nephew of party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, will face Treerat Sirichantaropas of Pheu Thai. The results showed Mr Parit will win with 34.5% against 29.8% of Mr Treerat. But 35.7% of all votes in the district will go to “other parties”.
Eastern Bangkok -- constituencies 14-18-- will be dominated by Pheu Thai. Polaphum Vivatbhumiprathet, Vicharn Minchainan, Jirayu Huangsap, Pairoj Issaraseripong and Teerarat Samretvanich will gain 50.4%, 52%, 54.5%, 51.7% and 50.7% in their respective constituencies.
Democrats candidates will see victory in districts 19-24 with a wide margin against new faces from Pheu Thai and TRC, at 51.8%, 52.8%, 48.3%, 37.6%, 39.2% and 47.8%, respectively.
The wildcards are districts 25-30, where candidates are competing neck-to-neck. For instance, in district 26, Democrat Pol Capt Samart Muangsiri would face Wan Yubamrung, a son of Chalerm Yubamrung. With the help of PM candidates Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan and Chadchart Sittipunt, who took turns helping him with campaigns, Mr Wan gained ground and led slightly with 41.3% against 40%.
The remaining districts will continue to be dominated by Democrats. Ornanong Klainok is seen leading with 32.8% in district 28, beating former minister Watana Muangsook (30.9%). Again, as much as 36.3% of the votes in this district are with parties other than the three under the survey.
