Phuket gears up for national elections

Travelers to Phuket now and in the weeks to come are likely to notice groups of cheering people walking through the city’s streets singing, chanting and yelling, often accompanied by trucks and loudspeakers. The city’s residents are merely getting ready for the first national election since the military took power last September.

On Monday, crowds of people were in the streets supporting candidates who registered for the election at Phuket Community Hall.

Registration closes on Friday which means that the crowds are likely to continue all week. Eight candidates from four political parties have already registered.

There are five political parties competing in the elections which are scheduled for December 23rd: the Democrat Party, Thai Nation Party, Palang Prachachon, Ruamjai Thai Chart Pattana Party and Puea Pandin Party.

Each party is expected to put forward two representatives in Phuket.

Analysts say that neither of the two major national parties, the Democrat Party and the People’s Power Party, are likely to will an outright majority in the upcoming election.

On September 19th, 2006, the Royal Thai Army made the first non-constitutional change of government in Thailand in 15 years, deposing of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The former Prime Minister now lives in exile in the UK where he owns Manchester City Football Club. In Thailand, his allies form the People’s Power Party and will participate in the upcoming elections.