Pattaya mayoral, city council elections this weekend

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(Clockwise from top left) Itthiphol Kunplome from the Rao Rak Pattaya party, along with independent candidates Udomsak Chuenkhrut, Su-ainee Piendee, and Suphakit Suneerattanakul will be facing off this weekend, each with hopes of winning the mayor seat in Sunday’s local elections.  Voters will also be deciding the fates of 35 city council candidates running in 4 different districts.

3 apply to run against Itthiphol for Mayor

35 vie for 24 city council seats

An automotive engineer, political consultant and business owner filed to oppose Acting Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome in Sunday’s city-wide elections.

The June 17 ballot also drew filings from 35 people to vie for 24 Pattaya City Council seats. All the filings were subject to approval by the Election Commission of Thailand, which planned to announce the final ballot late this week.

(Clockwise from top left) Itthiphol Kunplome from the Rao Rak Pattaya party, along with independent candidates Udomsak Chuenkhrut, Su-ainee Piendee, and Suphakit Suneerattanakul will be facing off this weekend, each with hopes of winning the mayor seat in Sunday’s local elections.  Voters will also be deciding the fates of 35 city council candidates running in 4 different districts.(Clockwise from top left) Itthiphol Kunplome from the Rao Rak Pattaya party, along with independent candidates Udomsak Chuenkhrut, Su-ainee Piendee, and Suphakit Suneerattanakul will be facing off this weekend, each with hopes of winning the mayor seat in Sunday’s local elections.  Voters will also be deciding the fates of 35 city council candidates running in 4 different districts.

In the mayor’s race, Itthiphol faces three possible opponents: Udomsak Chuenkhrut, 34, the managing director of a privately owned company; Su-ainee Piendee, 34, a former political consultant, and Suphakit Suneerattanakul, 34, an automotive engineer for a construction company.

For the Pattaya City Council, Itthiphol’s Rao Rak Pattaya party filed a full slate for seats in all four electoral districts.

Independent candidates for District 1 include Sompng Iempinyo, 51, an employee of a private company; Punya Pornmanusorn, 42, a design manager; and contractor Manoch Kijthumcharoen, 54.

The Rao Rak Pattaya Party’s District 1 slate is led by Acting Deputy Mayor Wattana Chantanawaranon and includes current acting city council members Banlue Kullavanijaya, Jidapa Suwattaporn, Thatchai Supspornpasuphat, Anupong Bhudanawarut, Urit Nantasurasak, and new candidate Vichet Nongyai.

In District 2, business owner Samart Silarae, 37, and technician Chaichaoren Saeheng, 54, applied to run as independent candidates.

Voters and candidates names are posted outside City Hall. Voters and candidates names are posted outside City Hall.

Rao Rak Pattaya’s slate is led by Acting Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn and includes current acting city council members Rattanachai Sutidechanai, Farooq Wongborisuthi, Manoch Nongyai, Morakot Noohuang and new candidates Ithiwat Wattanasartsathorn and Yuwida Jeerapan.

In District 3, the Saerichon Pattaya Party submitted filings for Thanes Khruakhun, 43, and Thennosapol Ekklang, 56. Independent candidates are hotel manager Sawek Meeprasertsak, 46, and retailer Nopananth Kruaviset, 44.

Rao Rak Pattaya’s slate is led by Acting Deputy Mayor Ronakit Ekasingh and includes current acting city council members Vichai Rodpai, Visalya Phettrakul, Nakhon Phonlookin, Chanansa Sutthithamrongsawat, Sanit Boonmachai, and new candidates Banjong Banthoonprayuk.

In District 4, Rao Rak Pattaya’s candidates are opposed by only one independent, Chanaporn Bum- rungsamraan, 26.

She could face a slate led by Acting Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay and includes current acting city council members Tavich Chaiswangwong, Phansak Saengchan, Praiwan Arromchuen, Thongchai Ardzong, Amnuai Somphongtham and Choosak Sriwatjanapong.

Reminder: The law prohibiting the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages will be in effect. This means that, by law, bars must be closed by 6:00 p.m. Saturday night, June 16 and remain closed until the election is declared over on Sunday, June 17. The “no alcohol rule” applies to all entertainment areas, including restaurants, although restaurants may remain open if they do not sell alcohol. It is also prohibited to give away free alcoholic beverages, even at private parties.