Sukhumbhand wins, Pheu Thai concedes defeat

MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra of the Democrat Party has won Sunday's Bangkok governor election with a record-high number of votes, as his Pheu Thai rival, Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen, conceded defeat.

At the Democrat Party's headquarters on Sunday evening, MR Sukhumbhand said he would like to thank the people who helped him to get more than one million votes in the gubernatorial election.

As of 7.15pm, MR Sukhumbhand had 1.25 million votes while Pol Gen Pongsapat got 1.07 million. The previous record was held by the late Samak Sundaravej at 1.01 million votes in 2000.

MR Sukhumbhand of the Democrat Party has won the Bangkok governor election 

with a record-high number of votes, as his Pheu Thai rival concedes defeat.

 (Photo by Patipat Janthong)

Election latest results
Bangkok districts	Who won
Bang Bon	Pongsapat
Bang Kae	Pongsapat
Bang Kapi	Pongsapat
Bang Khen	Pongsapat
Bang Kholaem	Pongsapat
Bang Khunthian	Pongsapat
Bang Na	Pongsapat
Bang Phlat	Pongsapat
Bang Rak	Pongsapat
Bang Sue	Pongsapat
Bangkok Noi	Pongsapat
Bangkok Yai	Sukhumbhand
Bung Kum	Sukhumbhand
Chatuchak	Sukhumbhand
Chom Thong	Sukhumbhand
Din Daeng	Sukhumbhand
Don Muang	Pongsapat
Dusit	Sukhumbhand
Huai Khwang	*Still counting ballots*
Kannayao	Sukhumbhand
Klong Sam Wa	Pongsapat
Klong San	Pongsapat
Klong Toey	Sukhumbhand
Laksi	*Still counting ballots*
Lat Krabang	*Still counting ballots*
Lat Phrao	*Still counting ballots*
Min Buri	*Still counting ballots*
Nong Chok	*Still counting ballots*
Nong Khaem	*Still counting ballots*
Pathumwan	*Still counting ballots*
Phasicharoen	*Still counting ballots*
Phaya Thai	*Still counting ballots*
Phra Khanong	*Still counting ballots*
Phra Nakhon	*Still counting ballots*
Pomprap Sattruphai	*Still counting ballots*
Prawet	*Still counting ballots*
Rat Burana	*Still counting ballots*
Ratchathewi	*Still counting ballots*
Sai Mai	*Still counting ballots*
Saphan Sung	*Still counting ballots*
Samphanthawong	*Still counting ballots*
Sathon	*Still counting ballots*
Suan Luang	*Still counting ballots*
Taling Chan	Sukhumbhand
Thawi Watthana	Sukhumbhand
Thon Buri	Pongsapat
Thung Kru	Pongsapat
Watthana	*Still counting ballots*
Wang Thonglang	*Still counting ballots*
Yannawa	*Still counting ballots*

MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra
(Photo by Patipat Janthong)

"I want to thank Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra [of the Pheu Thai Party] who has promised that I'll be able to work seamlessly with the government.

"I would like to take this opportunity to invite about 800,000 Bangkokians who did not cast their votes today to help build Bangkok with me.

"I promise you that I'll work harder and be more committed and that I'll serve the people of Bangkok - the city I love, where I was born and raised, and will die," said the re-elected governor.

He also called on the Election Commission to inspect the exit polls after they gave Pol Gen Pongsapat a slender victory.

"The result of the exit polls is inaccurate and it could mislead people and create confusion," MR Sukhumbhand said.

Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen
(Photo by Apichit Jinakul)

Prime Minister Yingluck, speaking on behalf of the Pheu Thai Party, congratulated MR Sukhumbhand on certain re-election as Bangkok governor and conceded her party's candidate Pol Gen Pongsapat had been defeated.

She was accompanied at a press conference at the party's headquarters by Pol Gen Pongsapat, party leader Jatupong Ruangsuwan and other leading members of the party.

Ms Yingluck said throughout 48 days of campaigning to help the party candidate she had a chance to meet the Bangkok people and listen to their problems.

"Although the vote for our candidate is not enough for him to take the Bangkok governorship and serve the Bangkok people in that position, we are ready and glad to continue to push for the implementation of policies we presented to the people.

"I am also ready to work with the Bangkok governor without a dividing line," the prime minister said.

"I must thank the Pheu Thai Party, its executive committee, and our teams of election campaigners for having done their best.  We take every vote as moral support for Pheu Thai," she added.

Pol Gen Pongsapat also conceded defeat.

He congratulated MR Sukhumbhand for his victory and wished him success over the next four years as Bangkok governor.

"In whatever status I hold, I'm ready to work for the people and I want to thank all the Bangkokians who voted for me," Pol Gen Pongsapat said.

He said he will discuss his future with Prime Minister Yingluck after she returned from an oversea trip.

(bangkokpost.com)