Former PM Niwatthamrong faces Senate election defeat

Former Deputy Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan faced an early exit in the first round of the national Senate elections yesterday, June 26. Despite his loss, Niwatthamrong, who served as caretaker prime minister following Yingluck Shinawatra’s removal by the Constitutional Court in 2013, remains unbowed and resolute.

Niwatthamrong admitted that, like his fellow candidates, he had cast a vote for himself in the initial round.

“I have no regrets about contesting.”

To rally support quickly, Niwatthamrong utilised the Line app to introduce himself to other candidates within his professional group.

“It was the most efficient way to garner support in such a short time.”

The Senate election is a multi-tiered process, conducted across district, provincial, and national levels, each with two rounds. In the first round of each level, candidates cast two votes within their professional group, including a vote for themselves. The second round requires voting for candidates outside their group, with contenders coming from 20 different professional sectors.

When asked about the electoral system, Niwatthamrong chose not to comment on its intricacies.

“It’s a new system that needs to be tested.”

Rumours of collusion and lobbying among candidates have surfaced, but Niwatthamrong refrained from speculation.

“It’s up to the Election Commission to investigate any irregularities.”

Niwatthamrong entered the political fray with a sense of purpose. He hinted at his undiminished dedication to public service despite the setback, reported The Nation.

“I still feel strong enough to work for the country.”

In related news, former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat revealed the key to his success in reaching the final round of the Senate election: his wife’s unwavering support. Upon arriving at Impact Arena in Mueang Thong Thani today to participate in the election, Somchai dispelled rumours that he had been chosen to lead the next Senate.

In other news, Yingcheep Atchanont, the manager of Internet Dialogue on Law Reform (iLaw), unleashed a scathing critique against the Election Commission (EC) for failing to live up to its promise of livestreaming the crucial final round of senatorial election voting.