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Sukhumbhand triumphs
• Voters strive for balance of power as Democrat defies polls
• Chief rivals surpass million votes each in record turnout
• Pheu Thai makes strong gains on Democrats' turf

Bangkok voters Sunday re-elected Democrat candidate MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra as the city's governor.

Political observers consider the result an attempt by the capital's residents to counter the Pheu Thai Party's grasp on power on the national stage.

It was the fourth consecutive win for the Democrat Party in the city race.

According to the unofficial result from the Election Commission, MR Sukhumbhand received 1,256,231 votes, the largest ever haul in the gubernatorial election. His rival, Pheu Thai candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen, was close behind with 1,077,899 votes.

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