Tawee Thongcham re-elected Karon Mayor

PHUKET: The preliminary vote count in yesterday’s Karon Municipality elections shows that Tawee Thongcham has been re-elected as Karon Mayor, with 2,388 votes from the 3,929 voters who showed at the polls.

Mr Tawee’s only opponent in the election, Narong Natang, secured 1,345 of the votes.

Yesterday’s result marked Mr Tawee’s third successive win as Karon’s mayor.

Almost 73 per cent of the 5,391 eligible voters cast their ballots on Sunday, 60 of whom chose the “no vote” option.

There were 136 spoiled ballots.

Mr Tawee’s party secured all councilor seats in the Kata-Karon voting district one, under the party name of Thong Thin Gao Na (Progressive Community).

The council members are: Capt Jadet Wicharasorn, Sompotch Mooktieb, Anurak Jamklai, Jarun Srisawasdi, Sawat Patkor and Pornchai Faingam

The Thong Thin Gao Na party also secured five of the councilor seats in Kata-Karon voting district two, while Mr Narong’s party, Pracha Ruam Jai (United People) got their foot in the door with one member.

The council members are: Kritsada Jaikeaw (Pracha Ruam Jai), Meechai Navin, Joranut Sanguanporn, Setthawut Thammawat, Piroj Sangkaew and Kanae Churak.

In accordance with the Election Act, the Election Commission in Bangkok now has 30 days to confirm the results, said Kittipong Thiengkunagrit, director of the Phuket Election Commission.

— Orawin Narabal