Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BANGKOK2207
2009-08-31 11:02:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
THAILAND: DEMOCRAT PARTY PREVAILS IN SOUTHERN
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C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 002207
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, NSC FOR WALTON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND: DEMOCRAT PARTY PREVAILS IN SOUTHERN
BY-ELECTION BATTLE OF YOUNGER BROTHERS
REF: A. BANGKOK 1541 (THAKSIN SUPPORTER WINS BY-ELECTION)
B. BANGKOK 1491 (BELWETHER BY-ELECTION)
Classified By: POL Counselor George Kent, reasons 1.4 (b, d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 002207
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, NSC FOR WALTON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND: DEMOCRAT PARTY PREVAILS IN SOUTHERN
BY-ELECTION BATTLE OF YOUNGER BROTHERS
REF: A. BANGKOK 1541 (THAKSIN SUPPORTER WINS BY-ELECTION)
B. BANGKOK 1491 (BELWETHER BY-ELECTION)
Classified By: POL Counselor George Kent, reasons 1.4 (b, d)
1. (SBU) According to unofficial results reported in the Thai
media, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's governing Democrat
party won a resounding victory in an August 30 House of
Representatives by-election in the southern province of Surat
Thani. Democrat candidate Thani Thaugsuban -- Deputy PM
Suthep Thaugsuban's younger brother -- reportedly received
122,032 votes, easily outpacing the opposition Puea Thai
leader's younger brother, candidate Sompol Vichaidit, who was
the runner-up with 24,624 votes. There were only a few
reports of minor procedural irregularities on election-day.
Turnout was low by Thai standards, with just under 48 percent
of the eligible voters opting to cast a ballot.
2. (C) Comment: While hardly unexpected, the sheer size of
the victory nevertheless served to boost Democrat party
morale following emphatic Puea Thai party victories during
June by-elections in northeastern Thailand (Reftels). The
Surat Thani victory proved that just as Puea Thai retains the
ability to defend its turf, the Democrats are similarly
capable of controlling their traditional electoral stronghold
in the south. Thani Thaugsuban will now fill his brother's
seat in the House; DPM Suthep chose to step down in July
rather than fight an Election Commission indictment for
owning shares in Thai telecommunications firm True, in
contravention of the law which prohibits MP ownership of
shares in telecom firms with state concessions (note: Suthep
had sold the shares in 2008, after being elected but before
joining the Cabinet in December 2008).
3. (C) Comment, cont: Thani Thaugsuban's victory also served
to further underscore the Democrat party's continued appeal
in southern Thailand at a time of increasing uncertainty and
internecine bickering within the Democrat party camp. PM
Abhisit actively campaigned in Surat Thani for Thani
Thaugsuban, as did DPM Suthep. Even the solidly Democrat
south is pluralistic, however. While Puea Thai and the
red-shirt street protest movement are known for their north
and northeast power bases, PT leader Yongyuth is from the
south, as are four of the main United Front for Democracy
against Dictatorship "red-shirt" leaders: Vira Musikapong,
Jatuporn Promphan, Nattawut Saikua, and Jaran Dittaphichai.
JOHN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, NSC FOR WALTON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND: DEMOCRAT PARTY PREVAILS IN SOUTHERN
BY-ELECTION BATTLE OF YOUNGER BROTHERS
REF: A. BANGKOK 1541 (THAKSIN SUPPORTER WINS BY-ELECTION)
B. BANGKOK 1491 (BELWETHER BY-ELECTION)
Classified By: POL Counselor George Kent, reasons 1.4 (b, d)
1. (SBU) According to unofficial results reported in the Thai
media, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's governing Democrat
party won a resounding victory in an August 30 House of
Representatives by-election in the southern province of Surat
Thani. Democrat candidate Thani Thaugsuban -- Deputy PM
Suthep Thaugsuban's younger brother -- reportedly received
122,032 votes, easily outpacing the opposition Puea Thai
leader's younger brother, candidate Sompol Vichaidit, who was
the runner-up with 24,624 votes. There were only a few
reports of minor procedural irregularities on election-day.
Turnout was low by Thai standards, with just under 48 percent
of the eligible voters opting to cast a ballot.
2. (C) Comment: While hardly unexpected, the sheer size of
the victory nevertheless served to boost Democrat party
morale following emphatic Puea Thai party victories during
June by-elections in northeastern Thailand (Reftels). The
Surat Thani victory proved that just as Puea Thai retains the
ability to defend its turf, the Democrats are similarly
capable of controlling their traditional electoral stronghold
in the south. Thani Thaugsuban will now fill his brother's
seat in the House; DPM Suthep chose to step down in July
rather than fight an Election Commission indictment for
owning shares in Thai telecommunications firm True, in
contravention of the law which prohibits MP ownership of
shares in telecom firms with state concessions (note: Suthep
had sold the shares in 2008, after being elected but before
joining the Cabinet in December 2008).
3. (C) Comment, cont: Thani Thaugsuban's victory also served
to further underscore the Democrat party's continued appeal
in southern Thailand at a time of increasing uncertainty and
internecine bickering within the Democrat party camp. PM
Abhisit actively campaigned in Surat Thani for Thani
Thaugsuban, as did DPM Suthep. Even the solidly Democrat
south is pluralistic, however. While Puea Thai and the
red-shirt street protest movement are known for their north
and northeast power bases, PT leader Yongyuth is from the
south, as are four of the main United Front for Democracy
against Dictatorship "red-shirt" leaders: Vira Musikapong,
Jatuporn Promphan, Nattawut Saikua, and Jaran Dittaphichai.
JOHN