Politicians who aspire to cabinet posts are free to run under the constituency or the party list election method. And because the stakes are so high in the coming election, many party heavyweights have openly announced their intention to run in their constituencies for fear of not making the grade should they run on the party list. Among those planning not to run on the party list are Korn Dabbaransi, the Chart Pattana party leader, Chart Thai party leader Banharn Silpa-archa and his latest recruit, Newin Chidchob. Even several Democrats want to run in their constituencies. So far, only the Thai Rak Thai party has stated clearly that its leader, Thaksin Shinawatra, and its other potential ministers will contest under the party list system.
Voters can expect to have to return to the polling booth after a new government is formed.
With this in mind, two senators last week successfully included a clause in the amended election law which would make constituency representatives bear the cost of by-elections if they are appointed to the cabinet. Not surprisingly, the clause has excited stiff resistance from both government and opposition MPs. They ask why they should have to bear the cost since they would be doing nothing wrong. The constitution does not bar constituency MPs from holding cabinet posts. They could avoid this bother and expense but they opt otherwise.