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Published on December 24, 2007

The Democrat Party saw a revival of its fortunes in Bangkok, winning 26 of 36 House seats in 12 constituencies, a resounding success. It won 29 seats in 1996.The pro-Thaksin Shinawatra People Power Party came second with 10 seats, a sharp drop from the 32 won by Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party in 2005. The results in the capital also saw two popular candidates defeated - former Bangkok governor Bhichit Rattakul and former senator Nitiphum Naowarat.

"The victory in the capital is attributed to the popularity of the Democrats, as well as the wish of the silent majority to snub corrupt leader Thaksin Shinawatra," said Democrat spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon, who won the race in Constituency 12.

The two main rival parties swept all seats in the capital, with the Democrats winning in all three seats in seven constituencies - 1, 2, 3, 4, 8,9 and 12 - and People Power in two constituencies - 5 and 7. They shared seats in Constituencies 10 and 11. In all 12 constituencies, winning candidates prevailed by clear margins.

People Power secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee said the Bangkok results differed by a wide margin from straw polls conducted by his party.

He said the party needed to review the results in order to pinpoint how and why the actual votes deviated from the projection. "I have doubts why leading People Power candidates lost," he said.

In Constituencies 1 and 2, covering the central business district, the Democrats won all six seats by landslide.

Two team leaders, Apimongkol Sonakul and Korn Chatikavanij, each garnered more than 100,000 votes.

Apimonkol led Ornanong Kanchanchusak and Jermmas Chuenglertsiri to win in Samphanthawong, Dusit, Phra Nakhon, Pom Prab, Bang Rak, Pathum Wan and Ratchathewi.

Korn and team mates Somkiart Chanthawanit and Anucha Buranachaisri won the race in Bang Kho Laem, Sathon, Yan Nawa, Khlong Toei and Watthana.

Matching the success of the two Democrats, People Power candidate Danuporn Punnakanta won by a landslide in Constituency 7, covering Min Buri, Bang Kapi, Saphan Sung and Lat Krabang. His team mates Wichan Minchainan and Mongkol Kimsoonchan won, too.

People Power candidates Anusorn Panthong, Anudit Nakornthap and Karun Hosakul won in Constituency 5, covering Bang Khen, Sai Mai and Don Mueang. The three winning.

Democrats Piraphan Saliratvipak, Thana Chierawinit and Sansern Samalapa grabbed all three seats in Constituency 3, covering Lat Phrao, Din Daeng, Huay Kwang and Wang Thonglang.

Constituency 4, covering Phya Thai, Bang Sue, Lak Si and Chatuchak, saw a Demo-crat victory for Boonyod Sukthinthai, Attawit Suwanpakdi and Sakolthee Phatthiyakul.

The Democrat team of Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich, Samart Maluleem and Suthi Panyasakulwong won in Constituency 8 covering Prawet, Suan Luang, Bang Na and Phra Khanong.

Constituency 9, which covers Thon Buri, Khlong San, Bangkok Yai and Chom Thong, saw victory for Democrats Nanthaporn Weerakulsun-thorn, Surun Chanpitak and Wilas Chanpitak.

Democrats Ong-art, Chanin Rungsaeng and Ratchada Dhanadilok took all three seats in Constituency 12, which included Bangkok Noi, Bang Phlat and Thawi Watthana districts.