Aides of MPs registered to run for seats in many provinces that had previously elected MPs and Senators with links to the same party.

The wife of Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Yongyuth Tiyapairat registered to run for a Senate seat in Chiang Rai.

The sister-in-law of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Porrutai Shinawatra, as well as the younger brother of Thai Rak Thai MP Pakorn Buranupakorn, Praphan, registered to run in Chiang Mai.

The wife of Chiang Mai Senator Intharat Yodbangtoey, Budsaba, also registered to run in the northern city.

In Phayao, Suwit Wongsriwong, the husband of high-profile politician Ladawan, signed up for the Senate race.

In Samut Prakan, Anusara Yungtrong, the wife of Thai Rak Thai MP Wallop, Mahachon Party member Man Pathanotai and the wife of Senator Charoon Youngprapakorn, Udomtasanee, all signed up for the race.

An aide-de-camp of Army chief General Chaisit Shinawatra, Thanu Sriyakoon, registered to run in Uthai Thani.

Relatives of Democrat Party members also joined the race for Senate seats.

In Pichit, the brother of high-profile politician Pradit Phattaraprasit, Winai, registered his candidacy.

In Phitsanulok, the sister of Chuti Krairiksh registered for the election, and in Chumpon the brother of Democrat MP Suwaroj Palang, Chatchai, signed up to run.

Even the brother of Election Commissioner Prinya Nakchattree, Piroj, registered to run for a Senate seat, raising eyebrows in the process.

In Phetchaburi MP Alongkorn Pollbutr is boycotting the election for the lower House, but his brother Atthaphon is running for the Senate.

The brother of Wang Nam Yen faction leader Sanoh Thienthong, Witthaya, registered to run for the Senate in Sa Kaew, Sanoh's political base.

In Bangkok several candidates with close links to politicians signed up to run for Senate seats.

Phanprapha Intrawityanunt, wife of former Thai Rak Thai member Pitak, registered her candidacy, and Thaksin's lawyer Thana Benjathikul did the same.

Former Bangkok governors Samak Sundaravej and Pichit Rattakul, as well as the latter's brother Anatchai, registered their candidacies.

The former president of Parliament, Uthai Pimchaichon, former key Thai Rak Thai member Pornthep Techapiboon, and Nalinee Thavisin, a sister of Bangkok city clerk Nathanon, are running for Senate seats in the capital as well.

The twin brother of Senator Kaewsan Atipodhi, Khwansuang, also signed up to run for the Senate.

The Senate registration will continue until Tuesday, and the election will be held on April 19.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation