Unofficial tallies released late last night (Feb 8) showed that neither Bhumjaithai nor Pheu Thai secured any of Phuket’s three constituency seats. Provincial officials noted that the figures do not yet include advance voting, but declared winners in all three constituencies based on the counts received.
In Phuket Constituency 1, People’s Party MP Somchart Techathaworncharoen was returned with 16,919 votes, edging out Bhumjaithai’s Ploytalay Laksmisangchan on 16,821 votes in one of the closest races of the night.
The Kla Tham Party’s Thiwat Sidokbuab placed third with 15,205 votes, followed by Democrat candidate Boonsupha Tandhai on 10,792 votes. Further back were Supachai Srisawat (Setthakij/Economic Party) on 1,171 votes, Soranan Saneh (Pheu Thai) on 1,116 votes and Worapong Yurahman (Palang Pracharath) on 1,046 votes.
In Constituency 2, People’s Party MP Chalermpong Saengdee won re-election with 24,355 votes, ahead of Bhumjaithai’s Sanakorn Keesin on 20,530 votes. Democrat candidate Somchart Somnam followed with 13,546 votes.
Pheu Thai’s Natthaporn Phanitphichetwong received 2,416 votes, while In Phetchin of the Setthakij Party polled 2,175 votes.
Unofficial figures for Constituency 3 showed Kla Tham Party candidate Orathai Kerdsap taking the seat with 30,029 votes, defeating People’s Party incumbent Thitikan Thitiphrutikul, who polled 17,421 votes. Bhumjaithai’s Wiwat Jindapol placed third with 11,667 votes.
Other candidates included Democrat Sirikes Chua Sakul on 7,887 votes, Setthakij’s Dechawat Ounsorn on 1,682 votes, Pheu Thai’s Sakchai Chaowai on 1,090 votes and Thai Pakdee’s Kasem Karimkar on 883 votes.
CANDIDATES THANK VOTERS
Following the release of the unofficial results, re-elected MP Chalermpong thanked supporters, saying the “voice of the people is the power that empowers ordinary people to truly serve the people,” and pledged to work on issues residents are waiting to see addressed.
Fellow re-elected MP Mr Somchart thanked voters and reiterated his push for the Phuket Metropolitan Area Act, including proposals for an elected Phuket Governor.
Ms Orathai thanked Constituency 3 voters for their support and encouragement, saying the result reflected the backing of people who wanted to see a woman represent the district. Orathai is the sister of Srisoonthorn Mayor Chalermphon Kerdsap.
Provincial authorities stressed that all figures released so far remain unofficial and are subject to verification by the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT).
The Phuket office of the ECT noted that constituency and party-list results will undergo a legal verification process before being formally announced, with certification expected within 60 days of polling day if the election is deemed free and fair.
Referendum results are expected within 30 days, with objections permitted within 48 hours after voting ends.
Officials urged the public to follow official ECT announcements for confirmed results as counting and verification continue across polling stations in Phuket.
REFERENDUM
Voters across Phuket yesterday also backed the first step towards rewriting Thailand’s 2017 Constitution, with a majority in all three constituencies voting in favour of beginning the charter rewrite process.
The referendum asked voters only whether they approved starting the process of drafting a new constitution to replace the current charter adopted in 2017. It did not seek approval of any specific changes or a new draft constitution.
According to results released by the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT), a majority of voters in all three Phuket constituencies voted in favour of initiating the rewrite process.
In Phuket Constituency 1, 57.7% of voters, or 37,882 people, voted in favour, while 42.3%, or 27,758 voters, voted against.
In Phuket Constituency 2, 55.3% of voters, or 31,814 people, supported the proposal, compared to 44.7%, or 25,737 voters, who voted against.
In Phuket Constituency 3, 55.2% of voters, or 36,129 people, voted in favour, while 44.8%, or 29,369 voters, voted against.
The referendum follows a ruling by the Constitutional Court on Sept 10 last year, which confirmed that the House of Representatives has the authority to begin the process of drafting a new constitution. However, the court ruled that the process must first be approved by the public through a referendum.
The court also stipulated that three separate referendums are required before a new constitution can come into force.
The first referendum, held yesterday, asks voters whether they agree in principle to begin drafting a new constitution.
If the process proceeds, the second referendum will seek public opinion on the principles, framework and method of drafting the new charter. The third and final referendum would then ask voters to approve or reject the completed draft constitution.
Election officials noted that yesterday’s vote represents only the first stage in what is expected to be a lengthy constitutional reform process, with further public participation required before any new charter can be adopted.
Final nationwide results and official certification of the vote by the ECT are expected to be announced following the completion of verification procedures.