Phuket Election: Cherng Talay votes for new mayor

PHUKET: Residents in Cherng Talay today cast their ballots to put a new mayor and six council members into office.

Suniran Rachatapreuk, 48, is running for re-election.

He has served as Cherng Talay mayor since July 1999.

His only opponent is 51-year-old Somsak Sophanon, who served as a Cherng Talay Municipality Council member during Mr Suniran’s second term, between 2003 and 2007.

Four polling stations were set up for Cherng Talay’s two electoral zones.

Zone 1 includes Srisoonthorn Road’s even-numbered sois up to soi 16/1 and the Baan Don-Cherng Talay Road. Polling stations for Zone 1 were at Cherng Talay Temple.

Zone 2, with polling stations at Cherng Talay Wittayakom School, includes Lagoon Road and the Pasak-Kok Tanod Road.

The two zones combined have a total registered population of 5,963: 3,478 in Zone 1 and 2,485 in Zone 2.

Altogether 3,355 people were eligible to vote: 1,843 citizens in Zone 1 and 1,512 in Zone 2.

All polling stations closed at 3pm.

Ballot counting is currently underway at Cherng Talay Municipal Hall.

“There have been no reports of illegal activities. We should know who the winner is by tonight,” said Kitipong Thiengkunakrit, Director of the Phuket Election Commission.

“If no complaints are filed against the result, I will send the election results to the Election Commission of Thailand in Bangkok tomorrow for approval.

“The new mayor should be able to start his term within 30 days,” he added.

Director Kitipong reminded residents and visitors in the area that under election law the sale of alcohol in the area is prohibited until midnight tonight.

The alcohol ban started 6pm last night, he added.

— Pimwara Choksakulpan