In the country's biggest Senate constituency, the votes are dispersed among 255 contenders for 18 vacant seats. However, the early indication last night was that all of the top vote-getters were familiar public faces who had been among the favourites since they announced their campaigns.

But while all of them might be familiar, they have a range of political stands and represent a variety of interest groups that will take part in - or even vie for control of - the Upper House. The Senate's role is to examine all draft laws, and select and impeach members of the independent agencies that scrutinise the government's work.

Candidates Nitipoom Nawarat (the unofficial leader as of last night), Rosana Tositrakul, Klanarong Chantik, Khwansuang Atibodhi, Uthai Pimchaichon and former Bangkok governor Bhichit Rattakul together stand out as the "voice" of the anti-Thai Rak Thai movement that succeeded in undermining the premiership of party leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

All were leaders or key members of the People's Alliance for Democracy, which staged mass rallies in recent months aimed at ousting Thaksin.

Their success - or relative success, depending on your viewpoint - showed that the anti-Thaksin sentiment in the capital remains alive and well. This was proved in the April 2 Lower House election, in which a large number of Bangkok voters cast "no-votes" to signal their rejection of Thaksin and his party.

Some of the top vote-getters in the capital, however, have known ties to the two main political parties.

Suthat Muangsiri, Wichuda Ratanapien, Soontorn Saikwan and Pichit Kwuandechakup are seen as being linked to Thai Rak Thai.

On the other hand, Samai Charoenchang and Samart Maluleem are former local politicians seen as Democrat representatives believed to be involved in the party's activities.

Several other strong contenders appear to have remained neutral in the face of the strongly divided Thai public, which has broken into pro- and anti-Thaksin camps. Chutinant Bhirom Bhakdi, Art-Ong Jumsai na Ayudhya, Pipat Preedawiphat and Sombati Medhanee are in this group.

Some candidates who have worked for Thaksin in the past appear to have fared badly in the election. These include Thana Benjathikul, Kannika Thammakesorn, Siri Wangbunkerd, Thawee Kraikhub and Sombat Uthaisang.

Bucking this trend is former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej, who appears to be among the top vote-getters despite being seen as a loyal supporter of Thaksin with a reputation for aggressively countering the premier's critics.

Samak's popularity has remained high throughout his decades-long career. Although a number of people are turned off by his aggressive and outspoken style, others are charmed by it. These loyal supporters have never abandoned him, whether he's running for a House seat or the Bangkok governor's spot.

Bangkok has always been a fierce battleground for political parties and interest groups. The middle- and upper-class voters - the most influential voices in Thai politics - express their opinions through local and national elections, from the race for to be Bangkok governor to the battle of the heavyweights - Thai Rak Thai and the Democrats - in parliamentary elections.

Political Desk

The Nation