BOLD SHOWING: Pheu Thai’s candidate for prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra greets supporters at the Chiang Mai 700 Years Stadium as she hits the campaign trail in Chiang Mai, her hometown.
WARM HOMETOWN WELCOME BRINGS PRIME MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE TO TEARS
22/05/2011
Aekarach Sattaburuth
Bangkok Post
CHIANG MAI : Pheu Thai will put money back into voters' pockets and drive out illicit drugs in 12 months, says its drawcard Yingluck Shinawatra.
Launching her campaign in her hometown of Chiang Mai yesterday, Ms Yingluck revived many of the well received policies pursued by her elder brother, Thaksin, when he was prime minister.
They were accompanied by bold promises which gave the launch a sense of theatre which some observers said has been lacking from rivals' campaigns so far.
In an address to about 15,000 supporters, she said Pheu Thai would tackle poverty and drugs, and make Thais happy again.
"How have you been?" she asked party faithful, fighting back tears as she thanked voters for the warm welcome she received.
Ms Yingluck, the party's candidate for prime minister, launched her campaign at the Chiang Mai 700 Years indoor stadium before a crowd drawn mainly from Chiang Mai and Lamphun provinces, which are Pheu Thai strongholds.
A businesswoman who shot to prominence after Thaksin anointed her as his preferred prime ministerial candidate, Ms Yingluck's visit to Chiang Mai recalled a similar high profile one by Thaksin, soon after he became prime minister in 2001.
She addressed the crowd in northern dialect with a shaky voice, tears welling in her eyes.
"I never expected that my trip back home this time could be so impressive. You have given me such a warm reception _ but how much grander would it be if my brother came himself?" asked Ms Yingluck, who took to the stage about 6pm.
Pheu Thai has pledged an amnesty for Thaksin, whose government was overturned by the 2006 coup, and who fled overseas after he was convicted of political corruption.
"Have you been happy during the past four to five years? I'm told that your happiness and money in your pockets have disappeared.
"The Pheu Thai Party is worried about it. We have to solve people's problems and bring back their happiness. We'll revive our policies from the past and implement them.
"We'll announce a new war on drugs. We'll root them out from society in 12 months.
"We'll also announce a war on poverty. Poverty will be gone in four years. We'll make sure the 30 baht universal healthcare scheme works again.
"We'll also increase the village fund to two million baht for each village," said Ms Yingluck.
She wanted moral support from fellow northerners and knew they would help her party win all 10 seats in the province. Ms Yingluck said she would like to visit southern provinces _ traditionally a Democrat stronghold _ but the trip would have to await confirmation from the party's staff that they would be ready to accommodate her.
Pheu Thai expected to win more than half the House seats in the July 3 election, and would welcome other parties if it chose to form a coalition government.
Ms Yingluck's entourage included non-MP leader Yongyuth Wichaidit, and list candidates Chalerm Yubamrung and Natthawut Saikua.
Mr Chalerm and Mr Natthawut, a former leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), also addressed the crowd.
Somchai Preechasilpakul, a law lecturer from Chiang Mai University, said Ms Yingluck possessed the common touch, and had shown she was able to get on with people from all walks of life.
Before her campaign launch, Ms Yingluck and other members of the Shinawatra family paid homage to the shrine of late family members at Rongtham Samakkhee temple in Chiang Mai's San Kamphaeng district.
Ms Yingluck also took her team to visit voters at Warorot Market, a major fresh market in Chiang Mai.
Somchai Wongsawat, a former prime minister and Ms Yingluck's brother-in-law, said initially he was worried whether businesswoman Ms Yingluck could handle her role as a political leader, as she is a relative newcomer to politics.
However, after watching her perform, he was confident that she would be a success, said Mr Somchai.
Meanwhile, Surapong Towijakchaikul, a former Pheu Thai MP for Chiang Mai, said Pheu Thai was confident it would win at least eight out of 10 seats in the province.
The party was less confident in two constituencies where Noraphon Tantimontri from the Democrat Party and Krai Daptham from the Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party were standing, as they were strong candidates.
Mr Surapong said Pheu Thai's chances of winning those seats was 50%.
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