Kao Mai likely to dominate new OrBorJor

PHUKET TOWN: Following a meeting today organized by the victorious Kao Mai party, which took nine of the 15 Provincial Administrative Council (OrBorJor) seats allocated to Phuket Town in Saturday’s elections, its appears that the party’s leader, Dr Prasit Koysiripong, will become President of the new council. Kao Mai has put together a coalition that includes the Thalang Group Party, which won five seats, and Boonma Aiebsup from the Kathu-based Ruampalung Party, giving them a total 15 seats – a majority in the 24-seat chamber. Other likely appointments emerging from the coalition-forming meeting are Wisoot Santikul, also from Kao Mai, as First Vice President; Sorathum Jinda from the Thalang Group Party as Second Vice President; Somchai Duangkae (Kao Mai) as Chairman of the Council; and Manot Panchalat (Thalang Group) as Deputy Chairman. Although Kao Mai appears confident that its coalition will hold, there is still the possibility that Pattana Tongtin, which won five seats in Phuket Town, may be able to persuade some members of the Kao Mai coalition to defect. Time is short, however – alliances must be settled by February 14, when the first official meeting of the new OrBorJor takes place – and Pattana Tongtin will have to gather at least another eight councilors to its cause.