Apirak re-elected as Bangkok governor

Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin of the opposition Democrat Party swept to a landslide victory in Sunday's Bangkok gubernatorial election, leaving his key rival Prapat Chongsanguan of the ruling People's Power Party (PPP), far behind.

The election results appeared to indicate the public's endorsement of both the candidate and the policies of the current municipal government.

Bangkok City Clerk Pongsak Semsant announced the unofficial election results after the city administration completed ballot counting, noting that Apirak received 991,018 votes, or 45.93% of total eligible voters, while Prapat received only 543,488 votes, or 25.19%.

Former massage parlor magnate Chuwit Kamolvisit gained 340,616 votes, or 15.79%, while Dr Kriangsak Charoenwongsak took 260,051 votes, or 12.05%.

The four leading candidates together received 2,135,173 votes, or 98.96% of all votes cast.

Frequent candidate Leena Jungjanja placed fifth with 6,267 votes, or 0.29%, leading a field of 12 minor candidates who collectively received less than of the vote.

There are a total of 4,086,604 eligible voters in the capital, according to the BMA,with 2,214,320 people, or 54.18%, casting their votes, he said.

Some 19,231 voided ballots and 37,065 ballots cast without a vote for any candidate completed the tally.

Vice-Admiral Narong Chalothorn, chairman of Bangkok Metropolis' election commission said earlier that the total turnout missed the target of 70% of the electorate set earlier by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration by 15%.

In the last election for governor, in 2004, 2,472,486 Bangkok residents, or 62.5% of the total 3,955,855 eligible voters cast ballots. - Thai News Agency (TNA).