Candidates Told To Remove Illegal Posters

Candidates told to remove illegal posters

BANGKOK: -- The city administration has warned Bangkok governor candidates to remove campaign posters put up in violation of city regulations by Monday or face a fine.

Campaign posters are not allowed on trees and pedestrian bridge handrails.

Candidates who fail to remove offending campaign posters and banners by Monday will be fined 1,000 baht per spot, said election division chief Somchai Suranantkul.

Confiscated posters will be kept at the district offices which have jurisdiction over the areas where the violations take place. Owners can reclaim them from the offices.

City inspectors, or thetsakit, will start removing offending posters after the deadline, as ordered by city clerk Khunying Nathanon Thavisin.

Yuthasak Romchadthong, chief of Bang Khen district office, said most of the posters found on trees belonged to Mana Mahasuveerachai and Chuwit Kamolvisit.

Meanwhile, Mr Chuwit has promised to recruit as thesakit military officers who resigned under the early retirement programme and discharged conscripts, if he wins the governor election on Aug 29.

Mr Chuwit made the promise on Thursday while campaigning at the Army Staff School and the Army Signal Department.

He also pledged to help find jobs that soldiers' wives can do in their own homes.

Maj Thanyathep Thammathorn, attached to the 11th Army Circle, showed up to give Mr Chuwit moral support.

The officer and Mr Chuwit have been charged in connection with the attack on Sukhumvit Square nightstrip early last year.

On Jan 26, 2003 more than 300 armed men raided the nightstrip on the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 10 and demolished all beer bars, shops and other business outlets there, causing damage of about 100 million baht.

--Bangkok Post 2004-08-07