GWR
06-05-08, 10:46 AM
Itipon means 'power', and as the son of the local mafia boss Kamnan Pho (who has now escaped from justice in Cambodia), he has it by the BMW busload. His brother also used to be a minister in one of the last 'real' Thaksin administrations. Itipon was always termed 'Special Advisor' by the last puppet who held the post. Note the obsequious (if somewhat sarcastic) tone of the local media:
Resounding victory for Khun Itipon, who is voted in as new Mayor of Pattaya
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/05_05_1_2.jpg
[Photo: Pattaya City News - [Pattaya's version of the Popemobile!?]]
Our news today is dominated by the elections for Mayor of Pattaya which took place on Sunday. Following a long and sometimes controversial campaign, Pattaya has now chosen its next Mayor of Pattaya who will serve the City for the next 4 years. The winning candidate is Khun Itipon who was candidate number 2 on the ballot paper; he will be joined by his team of candidates 8 to 13 on the ballot, which feature a number of former Deputy Mayors and Pattaya councilors. During the vote count it quickly became apparent that Khun Itipon would win and would win by a considerable margin. The results of the election still require final ratification by the election commission; however the final voting figures were as follows: In first place with 17,743 votes was candidate number 2 on the election paper, Khun Itipon, in second place was candidate number 3, Khun Surat who polled 7,818 votes. Third place went to Khun Allissa with 6,111 votes. There were two other candidates on the ballot paper who polled a combined total of 96 votes. With 56% of the votes, it was a resounding victory for the former adviser to the Mayor and it is thought that Khun Itipon’s extensive experience in local government was the key to his success along with his youthful energy and attractive policies. He now joins his Brother, Khun Witaya in local government after he was voted as the head of the Chonburi Provincial Government on 27th April.
Voter turnout for the elections held on Sunday was high and initial indications suggest a turnout of between 50 and 70%. The vote count was supervised by the National Election Commission who were satisfied that the count was conducted in the correct manner.
Although the count was deemed to be in accordance with election regulations, controversy surrounded Khun Allisa, candidate number 1 throughout the campaign, during which she complained to Police regarding vandalism to a number of her election posters and on the election day itself, she presented evidence of a campaign letter originally written by her which had been copied and tampered with to persuade voters not to vote for her but instead cast their vote for candidate number 3, Khun Surat as she had no intention of accepting the position of Mayor and was tired of the campaign. We understand this is now in the hands of the Police but she does not intend to ask for a new election.
Following the win, on Sunday Night, Khun Itipon and his team toured the streets of Pattaya on Monday Morning to thank the people of Pattaya for choosing him and his team. The “V” sign which indicated Khun Itipon’s candidate number throughout the campaign became a “V” for victory.
So the future of Pattaya, at least for the next 4 years, is in the hands of Khun Itipon and some of his Policies and election promises will have won him many votes, others including a review of the late night entertainment industry here in Pattaya worry some business owners. Some of the major projects Khun Itipon wishes to undertake in the next 4 years include a citywide tram service and 12 year’s free education for students who study at government-controlled schools around Pattaya. These and other policies will require substantial budgets which are ultimately controlled by central government in Bangkok.
We wish Khun Itipon much success in his term as Mayor of Pattaya and will be looking at his work very closely as we continue to cover City Hall Meetings and other public engagements that the Mayor attends.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_05_05_51.html
Resounding victory for Khun Itipon, who is voted in as new Mayor of Pattaya
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/pic_webnews/05_05_1_2.jpg
[Photo: Pattaya City News - [Pattaya's version of the Popemobile!?]]
Our news today is dominated by the elections for Mayor of Pattaya which took place on Sunday. Following a long and sometimes controversial campaign, Pattaya has now chosen its next Mayor of Pattaya who will serve the City for the next 4 years. The winning candidate is Khun Itipon who was candidate number 2 on the ballot paper; he will be joined by his team of candidates 8 to 13 on the ballot, which feature a number of former Deputy Mayors and Pattaya councilors. During the vote count it quickly became apparent that Khun Itipon would win and would win by a considerable margin. The results of the election still require final ratification by the election commission; however the final voting figures were as follows: In first place with 17,743 votes was candidate number 2 on the election paper, Khun Itipon, in second place was candidate number 3, Khun Surat who polled 7,818 votes. Third place went to Khun Allissa with 6,111 votes. There were two other candidates on the ballot paper who polled a combined total of 96 votes. With 56% of the votes, it was a resounding victory for the former adviser to the Mayor and it is thought that Khun Itipon’s extensive experience in local government was the key to his success along with his youthful energy and attractive policies. He now joins his Brother, Khun Witaya in local government after he was voted as the head of the Chonburi Provincial Government on 27th April.
Voter turnout for the elections held on Sunday was high and initial indications suggest a turnout of between 50 and 70%. The vote count was supervised by the National Election Commission who were satisfied that the count was conducted in the correct manner.
Although the count was deemed to be in accordance with election regulations, controversy surrounded Khun Allisa, candidate number 1 throughout the campaign, during which she complained to Police regarding vandalism to a number of her election posters and on the election day itself, she presented evidence of a campaign letter originally written by her which had been copied and tampered with to persuade voters not to vote for her but instead cast their vote for candidate number 3, Khun Surat as she had no intention of accepting the position of Mayor and was tired of the campaign. We understand this is now in the hands of the Police but she does not intend to ask for a new election.
Following the win, on Sunday Night, Khun Itipon and his team toured the streets of Pattaya on Monday Morning to thank the people of Pattaya for choosing him and his team. The “V” sign which indicated Khun Itipon’s candidate number throughout the campaign became a “V” for victory.
So the future of Pattaya, at least for the next 4 years, is in the hands of Khun Itipon and some of his Policies and election promises will have won him many votes, others including a review of the late night entertainment industry here in Pattaya worry some business owners. Some of the major projects Khun Itipon wishes to undertake in the next 4 years include a citywide tram service and 12 year’s free education for students who study at government-controlled schools around Pattaya. These and other policies will require substantial budgets which are ultimately controlled by central government in Bangkok.
We wish Khun Itipon much success in his term as Mayor of Pattaya and will be looking at his work very closely as we continue to cover City Hall Meetings and other public engagements that the Mayor attends.
http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_05_05_51.html