Two Future Forward candidates win Pheu Thai strongholds in Chiang Rai
Two long-time champions of the Pheu Thai Party in Chiang Rai have been defeated by candidates of the new Future Forward Party in yesterday’s general election.
In Constituency 1, Pheu Thai several-term MP Samart Kaewmeechai was toppled by Future Forward’s Ekkapop Pianpiset in a closely run contest.
Ekkapop, who had resigned his position as a doctor at a private hospital in Chiang Rai to contest the election, got 28,916 votes, while Samart received 27,048.
Another veteran politician in the same constituency, Phalang Pracharat’s Ratana Jongsutthamanee, came third with 26,745 votes.
In Constituency 6 of the province, Future Forward’s Phiradej Khamsamut soundly defeated long-standing Pheu Thai MP Itthidej Kaewluang.
Phiradej received 22,742 votes, while Itthidejl got 16,170.
Phiradej was a businessman running a hotel and a restaurant in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district, as well as operating a real-estate business before he joined Future Forward.
He said he had not expected his victory because the constituency had a veteran politician with a strong political base. Now that he had won he says he will do his best as an MP.
SOURCE: The Nation
