Vote for candidates that can’t be bought: ‘Madam Dear’
Watanya Bunnag, a key figure in the Democrat Party, has asked voters to transform Thai politics by voting for candidates who will truly represent the public interest.
She said that when elected, these candidates can serve people better than MPs who “can be bought” and tend to seek power for their own benefits.
“The Democrat Party’s MP candidates cannot be bought. They all aim to uphold democratic ideals and work for the people,” Watanya said during a major election rally on Friday evening at Lan Kong Muang plaza next to Bangkok’s City Hall.
Watanya, affectionately called “Madam Dear” by her admirers, is contesting the May 14 general election as a Democrat party-list candidate. She is the wife of Nation Group chief executive Shine Bunnag.
She joined the Democrat Party in September last year after leaving the ruling Palang Pracharath Party.
Watanya, who heads the party’s working group on political innovation, also said the Democrat Party has proven during its 77 years of existence that it has no financiers who can direct it from behind the scenes.
“We only have people and their faith that we can lean on,” she said.
Thailand’s oldest political party turned 77 on April 6.
While addressing the party’s supporters at the rally, Watanya also blamed the past 17 years of political conflicts for Thailand’s slow development in terms of democracy and infrastructure.
“Thai politics has been mired in a vicious cycle of conflicts that slows down our democratic development,” she said.
Meanwhile, eligible voters who wish to register for advance or absentee voting can do so online, through the mobile application Smart Vote, until this Sunday.
The official app, developed by the Election Commission, is available for both iOS and Android smartphones.
Those who fail to register on time will have to cast their ballots on Election Day in the constituency where they are registered as a resident.
Online registration is open round-the-clock via the Smart Vote app, without having to submit any documents.
To check if your registration went through, please visit this website of the Department of Provincial Administration https://stat.bora.dopa.go.th/Election/enqelection/#/.
