2009 Bangkok gubernatorial election

2009 Bangkok gubernatorial election

← 2008 11 January 2009 2013 →
Turnout51.1%
 
Sukhumbhand Paribatra01.jpg
Yuranan Pamornmontri (cropped 2).jpg
Candidate Sukhumbhand Paribatra Yuranun Pamornmontri
Party Democrat Pheu Thai
Popular vote 934,602 611,669
Percentage 44.41% 29.06%

 
Pluem (cropped).jpg
Candidate Nattakorn Devakula Kaewsan Atibodhi
Party Independent Krung Thep Mai
Popular vote 334,846 144,779
Percentage 15.91% 6.88%

Gubernatorial election results map. Blue denotes districts won by Paribatra, Red denotes those won by Pamornmontri.

Governor before election

Apirak Kosayothin
Democrat

Elected Governor

Sukhumbhand Paribatra
Democrat

Poster promoting the 2009 elections "Unite our powers once more, for a better Bangkok".

The ninth gubernatorial election for the city of Bangkok, Thailand was held on 11 January 2009.[1] The election came about after the resignation of Apirak Kosayothin on 13 November 2008, the incumbent who was only just re-elected a little more than a month (on 5 October 2008). the resignation stemmed from an indictment by the National Counter Corruption Commission or NCCC, in which Apirak was indicted for the controversial 6.6 billion Baht fire-engine procurement contract. The former Prime Minister and former Bangkok Governor Samak Sundaravej was also found guilty in the same verdict.[2] On 13 November Apirak announced his resignation saying: "Like the Democrat Party, I support a move that will perpetuate politics-for-people" at the same time maintaining his innocence and stating that his resignation should become an example of a change in Thai politics, his resignation triggered an automatic by-election.[3] By the end of the 11 January 2009, Sukhumband was declared the winner of the race, becoming the 15th Governor of Bangkok.[4]

Campaign

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On 1 December, the Election Commission allowed the registration of candidates. A total of 14 candidates registered. In accordance with the law, they picked numbers by which they would be assigned for the campaign. The three highest profile candidates were: MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, ML Nattakorn Devakula and Yuranun Pamornmontri.

MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, the 56-year-old candidate of the Democrat Party,[5] is a former Foreign Minister. MR Sukhumband vowed to carry on with policies initiated by Governor Apirak and to continue the environmentalist agenda. He ran under the slogan: "Bring back Bangkokians' smiles".

ML Nattakorn Devakula, a 32-year-old Independent candidate, was a former TV host, popularly known as "Khun Pluem". He ran on the slogan: "Vote for me. Vote for the governor of the future".[6]

Yuranun Pamornmontri, the 45-year-old Puea Thai Party candidate, is a popular TV actor and film star.[7][8]

Media

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Election posters of the Candidates:

Results

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The election and results were announced on the same day:

CandidatePartyVotes%
Sukhumbhand ParibatraDemocrat Party934,60244.41
Yuranun PamornmontriPheu Thai Party611,66929.06
Nattakorn DevakulaIndependent334,84615.91
Kaewsan AtibhotiKrung Thep Mai Group144,7796.88
Leena JangjanyaIndependent9,0430.43
Sumeth ThanasirikulIndependent6,0170.29
A-that MonsereenusornSuvarnabhumi Party4,1170.20
Withaya JangkobpatthanaIndependent3,6400.17
Kongchak JaideeIndependent2,4000.11
Dharmachat RungjirojIndependent2,2220.11
Thoranee RitthithamrongIndependent1,8750.09
Metta TemchamnarnIndependent1,4310.07
Issara AmornwetIndependent9220.04
Udom VibundhevachartIndependent6560.03
None of the above46,3952.20
Total2,104,614100.00
Valid votes2,104,61499.24
Invalid/blank votes16,1070.76
Total votes2,120,721100.00
Registered voters/turnout4,150,10351.10

References

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  1. ^ "Nation Thailand news website, thai news, thailand news, Bangkok thailand, aec, breaking news : Nation Thailand".
  2. ^ "Nation Thailand news website, thai news, thailand news, Bangkok thailand, aec, breaking news : Nation Thailand".
  3. ^ "Nation Thailand news website, thai news, thailand news, Bangkok thailand, aec, breaking news : Nation Thailand".
  4. ^ "Sukhumbhand vows to serve all sections - Nationmultimedia.com". Archived from the original on 2010-01-10. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  5. ^ "Nation Thailand news website, thai news, thailand news, Bangkok thailand, aec, breaking news : Nation Thailand".
  6. ^ "Nation Thailand news website, thai news, thailand news, Bangkok thailand, aec, breaking news : Nation Thailand".
  7. ^ "Nation Thailand news website, thai news, thailand news, Bangkok thailand, aec, breaking news : Nation Thailand".
  8. ^ "Nation Thailand news website, thai news, thailand news, Bangkok thailand, aec, breaking news : Nation Thailand".