Apirak May Step Down On Friday

[george]

Apirak may step down on Friday

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin is likely leave his job overseeing the city adminฌistration soon, as he needs to prepare for his next gubernatorial campaign.

Apirak hopes to win a second term in office.

An informed source said Apirak would stand down as Bangkok governor post as soon as Friday (August 22) so he has plenty of time for his campaign and can avoid any issues that rivals seek to politicise.

Apirak's term is due to offiฌcially end on August 28.

"He will take leave from August 23 to August 28," the source said.

Apirak and his family would leave for Boston on Monday as his son was set to enrol at a uniฌversity there.

When asked about his plan, Apirak said he would announce on Friday whether he would stay in the post in the runup to gubernatorial race. "I can't elaborate here," he said.

Apirak said his decision would be made based on the results of key Bangkok Council and BMA meetings this week.

"I have to check whether there is any work pending," he explained.

The Bangkok Council will today consider a second and third reading of a Bt46billion budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year.

-- The Nation 2008-08-19