Phuket Election: Suniran re-elected Cherng Talay Mayor

PHUKET: Suniran Rachatapreuk secured enough votes in a local Phuket election on Saturday to retain his position as Mayor of Cherng Talay.

“The election results were sent to the Election Commission of Thailand [in Bangkok] yesterday [June 5],” Kitipong Thiengkunakrit, Director of the Phuket Election Commission, today confirmed to the Phuket Gazette.

“If there are no complaints filed with us within 30 days, the results will be automatically approved and Mr Suniran will be able to start his new term in early July,” he added.

In the preliminary count, Mr Suniran garnered 1,449 votes from the 2,491 ballots cast.

Somsak Sophanon, the only other person to contest the mayoral election, scored 893 votes.

There were 117 spoiled ballots and 32 people cast “no” votes by marking the “I decline to vote” box.

Of the 1,843 eligible voters in Cherng Talay Municipality electoral Zone 1, 1,343 cast ballots.

Of the 1,512 eligible voters in Zone 2, 1,148 cast ballots.

“I am ready to start my new term. I always talk with the people, and I know well what to needs to be done to develop the Cherng Talay Municipal area,” Mr Suniran told the Gazette this morning.

Mr Suniran has served as Cherng Talay mayor since July 1999.

His latest re-election will see him continue as mayor until 2015.

The local election also saw Charoon Thawichatanon, Suphat Athiudomphol, Somkid Thanandonwat, Wirote Chuphak, Manote Chidchiew and Amporn Ruengdet voted in as councilors representing Zone 1.

The six councilors voted in to represent Zone 2 were Ittikorn Athiudomphol, Abhisit Ngarnprasertkit, Prasert Changlek, Lengtek Phongsanon, Wisut Techauppathumkul and Pol Sen Sgt Maj (Rtd) Korakrit Sirisakulsombat.

— Pimwara Choksakulpan