Rural doctor challenges Phue Thai

Phue Thai is confident of winning in nine Chiang Mai constituencies, but a popular rural doctor stands a good chance of denying them a tenth.

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Pheu Thai fears there'll be a doctor in the House

Pradit Ruangdit

Krai: His popularity has spooked Pheu Thai

CHIANG MAI : A rural doctor running for the Chartthaipattana Party remains a thorn in the side of the Pheu Thai Party which is looking for a clean sweep of the province on Sunday.

Krai Dabtham, a former director of Mae Ai Hospital who has also won an award as an outstanding rural doctor, is giving Pheu Thai a run for its money in Constituency 5, comprising Fang and Mae Ai districts.

The party's chances look strong in the other nine constituencies, but in Constituency 5, the doctor's popularity has given Pheu Thai's candidate, former farmer activist Prasit Wutthinanchai, cause for concern.

Many of the constituency's residents who have raised red flags and put up banners in front of their houses declaring their support for Pheu Thai candidates say, however, that Dr Krai is their man.

Tida Somkhuan, a noodle vendor who has put up a red flag on her noodle cart, said she will vote on the party list for Pheu Thai, but will cast her constituency vote for Dr Krai.

"He has done a lot for the community since he was a hospital director," she said.

Chumjai Saengkaew, 81, said she has personal reasons for backing Dr Krai.

"Definitely Dr Krai. I can count on him when I fall sick," she said.

Dr Krai beat Mr Prasit in the previous election when he ran on the Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana ticket.

Dr Krai said rival candidates have been trying all kinds of tricks to undermine him, including giving voters' his opponent's running number on the ballot sheet.

"Voters are urged to cast a ballot for Dr Krai No.1 [No.1 is actually Pheu Thai]. I have to tell them my correct running number every day," he said.

He said his opponents also urge voters to put up red flags to demoralise him and his team.

"But if I look on the bright side. More people are stepping out to support me," he said.

Pheu Thai has been campaigning hard to swing voters in the last week of the campaign. Anything less than a total victory would be considered an embarrassment for the party, because Chiang Mai is known as the capital of the red shirts, the party's core ally.

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rural – connected with the countryside outside big towns and cities  ในชนบท, บ้านนอก
thorn – a small sharp pointed part on the stem of some plants, such as roses หนาม
thorn in the side – an annoying problem that won’t go away
clean sweep – to win all parts of a competition; to win all the seats in a particular area in an election
award – a prize or a sum of money that is given to someone following an official decision รางวัล
outstanding – clearly very much better than what is usual ยอดเยี่ยม, ดีเด่น
give a run for the money – to compete very strongly against someone who is expected to win a competition
constituency – a district that elects its own representative to parliament เขตเลือกตั้ง
comprise – to consist or be made up of two or more things ประกอบด้วย
popularity – a situation in which someone or something is liked by many people ความเป็นที่นิยม, ความเป็นที่ชื่นชอบ
candidate – a person who is trying to be elected ผู้สมัครรับเลือกตั้ง
activist – someone who takes part in activities that are intended to achieve political or social change, especially someone who is a member of an organisation นักกิจกรรม
cause for concern – a reason to be worried เหตุผลในการกังวล
residents – people who live in a particular area ประชาชนที่อาศัยในท้องที่
banner – a wide piece of cloth with a message on it  แถบผ้า ป้าย
declare – to announce officially that something is true ยืนยัน, รับรอง, แสดงหลักฐาน
vendor – someone who sells something, but not in a shop พ่อค้าแม่ค้าแผงลอย
cart – a small vehicle with two or four wheels that you push or pull to transport large or heavy objects on รถเข็นหรือรถลาก
party list (proportional representation system) – a system that gives each party in an election a number of seats in relation to the number of votes its candidates receive ระบบสัดส่วน, ระบบปาร์ตี้ลิสต์
cast a vote – to vote, i.e., to put a marked ballot in a ballot box ลงคะแนน, หย่อนบัตรเลือกตั้ง, ออกเสียงเลือกตั้ง
spook – to make someone suddenly feel frightened or nervous ทำให้ตกใจ, ทำให้กลัว
community – the people living in one particular area ชุมชน
back – to support ให้การสนับสนุน
definitely – certain; having no doubts about something อย่างแน่นอน
count on – to trust somebody to do something or to be sure that something will happen พึ่งพา, ไว้วางใจใน
beat – to win a victory over someone in a competition, election, etc. ชนะ, ปราบ
run on a ticket – to represent a political party in an election
rival – a person you are competing against or opposing คู่แข่ง
trick – something that you do to make somebody believe something which is not true   การหลอกลวง, การเล่นกล
undermine – to make someone become gradually less effective or successful ทำให้อ่อนลง,ทำลายทีละน้อย,ทำลายอย่างลับ
ballot – the piece of paper on which someone marks who they are voting for บัตรเลือกตั้ง
opponent – someone who is competing against you ฝ่ายตรงข้าม
urge – to advise someone very strongly about what action or attitude they should take ผลักดัน, กระตุ้น
demoralise – to cause to lose confidence or hope  ทำให้หมดความหวัง
look on the bright side – to try to see something good in a bad situation พิจารณาด้านบวกของสถานการณ์ที่เลวร้าย
campaign – to take part in a planned series of activities (a campaign) designed to persuade voters to vote for a particular candidate or political party รณรงค์หาเสียง
swing – to influence or change someone’s opinion — ทำให้โอนเอียง
total – complete; including everything ทั้งหมด
victory – winning a competition or a battle ชัยชนะ
embarrassment – a feeling of being nervous or ashamed because of what people know or think about you ความขวยเขิน, ความกระดากอาย
core – the most important or most basic part of something ที่สำคัญที่สุด
ally – a person or group who helps and supports somebody, especially a politician or political party พันธมิตร