Registration For Bangkok Gubernatorial Candidacies Officially Begins

[george]

Registration for Bangkok gubernatorial candidacies officially begins

BANGKOK: -- Registration for candidacies for the governorship of Bangkok officially began Monday as eight candidates registered on the first day including the outgoing governor, Apirak Kosayodhin, who ended his four years term last week.

Mr. Apirak, who is a leading figure in the the opposition Democrat Party, registered to run for the governor's seat once again and received number five for the election campaign.

Leading in all opinion polls, Mr. Apirak initiated his campaign in the heart of the Silom business district on Monday morning. The former governnor said he would put his effort into developing Bangkok if he is elected for the second term.

Despite being a front runner by most polls, Mr. Apirak said he would not run a relaxed campaign, but is geared up to fully contesting the post.

"Dr. Dan," Kriangsak Charoenwongsak, an ex-Democrat who is campaigning under the motto "Dr. Dan Can Do," received "Number 2".

Former Chart Thai Party deputy leader Chuwit Kamolvisit received "Number 8".

Election enthusiast Leena Jangjanja got "Number 7". After receiving the number, she called for the voters to give the chance for women to run city hall for the first time.

Other candidates who registered on Monday included "Number 1" Kittisak Thirawisit, "Number 3" Metta emchamnarn, "Number 4" Warawut Thanangkorn, and "Number 6" Sumet Tanthanasirikul.

Meanwhile, the People Power Party (PPP) will announce the party's candidate for Bangkok governor on Tuesday afternoon.

Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) governor Prapat Chongsanguan was reportedly chosen to run under banner of the PPP.

Television presenter Mom Luang Nattakorn Devakul, who said earlier that he would run for the Bangkok governorship, had already changed his mind while Plodprasob Suraswadi, former deputy minister for natural resources and the environment, did not turn up on the first day of registration.

Registration will close September 5 and the election would be held on October 5.

-- TNA 2008-09-01