24 Candidates To Run For Bangkok Governor

[george]

Twenty-four candidates to run for Bangkok Governor

BANGKOK: -- Twenty-four people have already asked for the nomination forms for next month’s election for Bangkok Governor, according to local officials.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has been issuing nomination forms since 12 July.

Among the possible runners in next months campaign are the famous national politician, Paveena Hongsakul, the well-known business figure, Apirak Kosayodhin, prominent activists, Lena Jangjanja and Waran Chaichokchana, the former high-ranking government official, Karun Chandransu, the former massage parlour tycoon, Chuvit Kamolvisit, and well-known academic scholar Dr. Wuthipong Priebjariyawat, Somsak Kongmak, BMA’s Director of Administration and Registration Division told journalists.

Many may still not have picked up their nomination forms.

It is believed that the veteran politician, Pol. Captain Chalerm Yubamrung, who has already started his campaign, is one of them.

The nomination forms need to be lodged at the municipal offices before 30 July.

Candidates are allowed to bring their supporters with them when they submit their nominations.

They also must submit twelve photos, their identification card and a health certificate, according to the Deputy Permanent Secretary for the BMA Talotd Charoonrat.

The election is scheduled to be held on 29 August.

-- TNA 2004-07-24

[Explorer]

Got this from the Malaysian Star publication 27th July 2004

Sex tycoon and activist running for mayor

Bangkok: A sex industry tycoon, a prominent women's rights advocate and a maverick politician with pub-brawling sons have emergeas leading candidates for the Bangkok mayor's race which officially began yesterday.

Voters will go on polls on Aug 29. There is no clear front-runner among the 28 candidates whi submitted their applications on the first of the five days of registration.

But recent polls have shown that Chuwit Kamolvisit, is known as Bangkok's massage parlour king, and Pavena Hongsakul, a former parliament member who gain prominence for fighting abuse of women and children, are current favourites among the 3.8 million eligible voters.

Chuwit's popularity is attributed to his stinging attacks on police corruption - he claims they extracted small fortunes in bribes from his entertainment empire - and disillusionment over mainstream politics.

"I don't care if Chuwit's a bad man" television director Nukul Boon-iam said recently. "It's not like poilitics isn't full of bad people already."

Others with considerable following are maverick politician Chalerm Yoobamrung, a former policeman once charged but not indicted on gambling charges who more recently has taken an unwanted spotlight for the brawling habits of his three sons.

One of his slogan - "I love Bangkok as I love my sons" - is not going down well with voters still angry over the acquittal of his youngest son for slaying a policeman in one nightclub fight.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's ruling party, the Thai Rak Thai is determine to secure the mayor's seat and appears to have known it's weight behind Pavena, who however insist that she's running as an independant. - AP