Rattana Labthanaphong, Election Director of Kathu Municipality, declared the results last night.
The 25 polling stations set up throughout Tambon Kathu were open for voting from 8am to 5pm. Many residents turned out to cast their ballots, and voting went smoothly, Ms Rattana said.
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat and Kathu District Chief Theeraphong Chuaychu both visited several polling stations during the day to observe the election underway, she added.
Mr Wannayut of the Rak Kathu team was number 2 on the ballot, and secured 4,786 votes, Ms Rattana confirmed.
Of the other two candidates, Niphon Bamrungthin, number 1 in the ballot, secured 3,854 votes and Mrs Phansupa Chotirasamechai, number 3 on the ballot, secured 653 votes, she said..
At this stage the election results remain unofficial, as they have yet to be confirmed by the Phuket branch of the Election Commission of Thailand (PEC).
The PEC has also yet to report any formal complaints filed over the election results, or how the election was conducted.
Meanwhile, the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO) yesterday issued a reminder that another election is to be held in Tambon Kathu this coming Sunday (Jan 21), this time to elect the PPAO councilor for PPAO Kathu Area 1.
The areas to be affected by polling this Sunday are Kathu Moo 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7.
In accordance with election law, there will be a ban on the sale of alcohol in those areas from 6pm Saturday night (Jan 20) through to 6pm Sunday night (Jan 21).
There are two candidates contesting the PPAO seat for Kathu Area 1: Wichai Kiattansakul and Peera Sukyiran, both residents of Moo 2, Kathu.
There will be 16 polling stations set up throughout the subdistrict. Those, too, will be open from 8am to 5pm for residents to cast votes.