Palang Pracharath accept defeat in Bangkok by-election
Palang Pracharath Party candidate Saranrat Jenjaka has acknowledged her defeat in the Bangkok constituency 9 by-election on Sunday.
As of 7.30, Pheu Thai Party candidate Surachart Thianthong was leading the count on 11,431 votes, with the Kla party candidate second on 9,786 and Move Forward third with 8,574 votes.
Saranrat was standing after her husband, Sira Jenjaka, lost the seat to a legal ruling.
Sira and Palang Pracharath Bangkok MP Chakrabhand Pornnimit attended the press conference, where they said they had tried their best to win the seat but acknowledged the voters’ decision not to elect the ruling party candidate.
They added that Palang Pracharath Party leader and Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan had contacted them to boost morale.
Saranrat also thanked voters who supported her and asked the election winner to take care of Lak Si residents. Constituency 9 covers Lak Si and part of Chatuchak district in the north of the city
Meanwhile, Chakrabhand said he believed that Sira and Saranrat would still be able to help residents even though Saranrat was not elected to Parliament.
He added that the party would study the election defeat for lessons to be learned.
"We still believe that Bangkokians are ready to support the party," he said.
The vote count as of 7.30pm according to the Election Commission is as follows:
Surachart Thianthong, Pheu Thai Party (Number 3): 11,431 votes
Atavit Suwanphakdee, Kla Party (Number 2): 9,786 votes
Karunpol Thiensuwan, Move Forward Party (Number 6): 8,574 votes
Phanthep Chatnarat, Thai Pakdee Party (Number 1): 2,667 votes
Saranrat Jenjaka, Palang Pracharath Party (Number 7): 2,584 votes
Charoen Chaiyasit, Thai Teachers for People Party (Number 8): 163 votes
Kulrat Klindee, National Strategy Party (Number 4): 82 votes
Rungroj Ibrohim, Thai Civilized Party (Number 5): 67 votes