Democrat Party kicks start election campaign

The party will also hold its annual meeting and a fundraising event on Saturday.

Party executive Sathit Wongnongtoei said the campaign would begin today with the television advertisements aimed at the general election.

The TV campaign is a 10part series, he said. The first part will have the title "People's Agenda" and will run until July 31.

Other outlets for the party's campaign include radio stations, websites and the print media, he said.

"The budget is expected to be about Bt5 million per series," he said.

In addition, the party will broadcast part of its annual meeting on Saturday on Channel 9 from 11am to midday.

The Democrats' meeting and a fundraiser will be held at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Bitec).

He said both the campaign and the annual meeting have been permitted by the Election Commission.

The Chat Thai Party also plans to hold a fundraiser for the election. Deputy leader Nikorn Chamnong expects that around Bt50 million will be raised to support the party.

Wellknown TV host ML Nattakorn Devakula and Janista Liewchalermwong will be comoderators for the Chat Thai fundraiser, Nikorn said.

He said the party had asked Nattakorn to act as host because he was acquainted with Warawut Silapaarcha, son of the party leader Banharn.

He said the party's annual meeting and fundraiser would be held at the Miracle Grand Hotel on July 27.

Most teenagers want Abhisit Vejjajiva to be prime minister, according to a Dhurakij Bundit University poll.

The poll surveyed 1,525 youngsters about the next election and most respondents (21.6 per cent) said they wanted the Democrat leader to be the next premier; 20.8 per cent preferred Chuan Leekpai and 12.8 per cent said they wanted Gen Surayud Chulanond to continue as prime minister.

Only 6 per cent said they wanted ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra to return as prime minister.

The Thai Rak Thai Group is preparing to announce its official leader next month, a source said.

"He or she was not a TRT member and has never been involved in politics before, but he or she has ability in economics," the source said.

The Nation