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| Turnout | 51.1% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Gubernatorial election results map. Blue denotes districts won by Paribatra, Red denotes those won by Pamornmontri. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The ninth gubernatorial election for the city of Bangkok, Thailand was held on 11 January 2009.[1] The election came about after the resignation of Apirak Kosayothin on 13 November 2008, the incumbent who was only just re-elected a little more than a month (on 5 October 2008). the resignation stemmed from an indictment by the National Counter Corruption Commission or NCCC, in which Apirak was indicted for the controversial 6.6 billion Baht fire-engine procurement contract. The former Prime Minister and former Bangkok Governor Samak Sundaravej was also found guilty in the same verdict.[2] On 13 November Apirak announced his resignation saying: "Like the Democrat Party, I support a move that will perpetuate politics-for-people" at the same time maintaining his innocence and stating that his resignation should become an example of a change in Thai politics, his resignation triggered an automatic by-election.[3] By the end of the 11 January 2009, Sukhumband was declared the winner of the race, becoming the 15th Governor of Bangkok.[4]
On 1 December, the Election Commission allowed the registration of candidates. A total of 14 candidates registered. In accordance with the law, they picked numbers by which they would be assigned for the campaign. The three highest profile candidates were: MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, ML Nattakorn Devakula and Yuranun Pamornmontri.
MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, the 56-year-old candidate of the Democrat Party,[5] is a former Foreign Minister. MR Sukhumband vowed to carry on with policies initiated by Governor Apirak and to continue the environmentalist agenda. He ran under the slogan: "Bring back Bangkokians' smiles".
ML Nattakorn Devakula, a 32-year-old Independent candidate, was a former TV host, popularly known as "Khun Pluem". He ran on the slogan: "Vote for me. Vote for the governor of the future".[6]
Yuranun Pamornmontri, the 45-year-old Puea Thai Party candidate, is a popular TV actor and film star.[7][8]
Election posters of the Candidates:
The election and results were announced on the same day:
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sukhumbhand Paribatra | Democrat Party | 934,602 | 44.41 | |
| Yuranun Pamornmontri | Pheu Thai Party | 611,669 | 29.06 | |
| Nattakorn Devakula | Independent | 334,846 | 15.91 | |
| Kaewsan Atibhoti | Krung Thep Mai Group | 144,779 | 6.88 | |
| Leena Jangjanya | Independent | 9,043 | 0.43 | |
| Sumeth Thanasirikul | Independent | 6,017 | 0.29 | |
| A-that Monsereenusorn | Suvarnabhumi Party | 4,117 | 0.20 | |
| Withaya Jangkobpatthana | Independent | 3,640 | 0.17 | |
| Kongchak Jaidee | Independent | 2,400 | 0.11 | |
| Dharmachat Rungjiroj | Independent | 2,222 | 0.11 | |
| Thoranee Ritthithamrong | Independent | 1,875 | 0.09 | |
| Metta Temchamnarn | Independent | 1,431 | 0.07 | |
| Issara Amornwet | Independent | 922 | 0.04 | |
| Udom Vibundhevachart | Independent | 656 | 0.03 | |
| None of the above | 46,395 | 2.20 | ||
| Total | 2,104,614 | 100.00 | ||
| Valid votes | 2,104,614 | 99.24 | ||
| Invalid/blank votes | 16,107 | 0.76 | ||
| Total votes | 2,120,721 | 100.00 | ||
| Registered voters/turnout | 4,150,103 | 51.10 | ||
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Elections in Bangkok
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| Gubernatorial elections |
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| Council elections |
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