Bi-election shows Thaksin still popular in rural Thailand

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Updated June 23, 2009 21:03:14

If the result from a by-election over the weekend is anything to go by, Thailand's fugitive and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra still has influence in some rural regions. The Pheu Thai party, which is backed by Mr Thaksin, won convincingly in the Sakon Nakhon by-election against the Bhum Jai Thai party, which is headed by a former Thaksin ally. Many of Mr Thaksin's relatives were reportedly in the province, helping the Pheu Thai campaign. But support overall may be waning.

Presenter: Sen Lam, presenter of Radio Australia's Connect Asia programme
Speaker: Dr Suchit Bunbongkarn, former constitutional court judge, and emeritus professor, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok

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