Election Thailand: Democrats win Phuket

PHUKET: While Pheu Thai will form the next Thai government after winning at least 262 seats in the general election, Phuket remained firmly Democrat with incumbent MPs Anchalee Vanich Thepabutra and Raywat Areerob retaining their seats by huge margins.

Mrs Anchalee secured the Phuket 1 constituency by receiving 50,881 votes.

Wisit Jai-arj of Pheu Thai secured 16,179 votes.

Weerasak “Ko Sak” Woranetiwong of Thaen Khun Phaendin Party scored 275 votes, while Jatupong Lertsiljirada of Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party garnered 260 votes.

However, there were 3,965 spoiled ballots and 7,845 people selected the “Vote No” option, expressing their dissatisfaction with all candidates contesting the seat.

Mr Raywat also retained his seat as a Democrat MP, representing Phuket 2 constituency, by scoring 52,585 votes.

Jirayus Songyos of Bhumjaithai won 28,252, while Saman Kebsap of Pheu Thai Party scored 8,260 votes.

The Democrats also dominated the Party List poll in Phuket, scoring 55,281 votes, with nearest rival Pheu Thai receiving 12,738 votes.

Rak Thailand scored 3,605 Party List votes, while Bhumjaithai received 369.

Counting went on late into the night despite predictions that full results would be available early.

All results in this report were the latest figures posted by the Phuket Election Commission at 11:15pm.

By that time, however, the nationwide result was a foregone conclusion, with Abhisit Vejjajiva conceding defeat more than two hours earlier.

“I congratulate Pheu Thai for its chance to lead the next government and wish Yingluck Shinawatra every success as the first female prime minister of Thailand,” he said.

— P Choksakulpan / The Nation