Three Starters Set For Bangkok Governor Poll

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Three starters set for city poll

Tanatpong Kongsai

The Nation

Three gubernatorial candidates have kicked off their election campaign in the race to be the next Bangkok governor.

BANGKOK: -- The countdown is five months, and Bangkok residents will be in for a colourful gubernatorial contest which often becomes a political indicator of the country's political direction at national level. Looking back at previous races, candidates of various political ideologies sell their dreams of how they can run this large capital during the four-year term.

Former police chief Sereepisuth Temeeyaves,64, was the first to announce he would run in the upcoming election for Bangkok governor as an independent with the Palang Krungthep group.

He is also backed by the Seri Friend group which includes police, state officials, traders, factory workers, his police subordinates and colleagues. His slogan is "bold, diligent and honest," and his selling point is the fact that he has a strong connection with National Police Chief Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew with whom he has been a buddy for 15 years. He will work with him closely in managing the capital, if he wins the post.

The most pressing issues Sereepisuth has promised to solve are the rising cost of living, flood prevention and mafia problems.

Sereepisuth believes by running as an independent, he would have the advantage over those under political banners because people fed up with political polarisation would opt for neutral candidates.

"If I am trusted to work for the people, within one year, I will create change because I am bold and decisive," he said while announcing his candidacy.

A second hopeful, DJ Suharit Siamwalla has announced via his Tweeter @Suharit: "Top secret, I have made my decision. I am studying gubernatorial election directives as I am going to apply as a candidate. What an excitement, I don't know If it is going to be head or tail," he wrote.

Known as an "electronic wizard", Suharit describes himself as a: "45-year-old Thai man of Indian descent, my strange-dressing style has nothing to do with my talents and my competency, no plan of launching election campaigns but only want to give what I have to Bangkok residents. I am a loner, no connection and no political affiliation. I have a personal belief that people over 40 can bring about change to society.

"I work as MD of DHA Siamwalla which sells stationery. I will not remove all my pictures in my FB profiles so that you can see me before making your decision. If my qualifications go against just one election rule, I will quit. I am a man with good and bad past, I am not always right, I have willingness and If I cannot do it with honesty, I will not do it.

"I fully support honest state officials which I believe are in abundance in our country. I am writing my policies, do not be surprised if it is totally different. Please Tune in. I am dying to do this.

"I will fight for what I believe and learn from people around me. I believe everyone plays a part in pushing for change. I have knowledge in management but I do not know everything. Instead of complaining, we must act. I do not this for fun."

Suharit is from the fourth generation in his family to run the stationery company established more than 50 years ago by his great grandfather. With his love of electronic music, he joined Electro Minimal Progressive house more than 15 years ago. In the Indie world, Suharit is an unorthodox artist who goes against conventional norms in music, art, and dressing style.

More information about this candidate is on his FB page http://www.facebook....lla/7470001369.

Now, let’s look at the incumbent Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra who earlier announced he would apply as the Number 1 for Bangkok governor candidate.

The Democrat Party has not yet announced its candidate officially and the deadline for recruitment is the end of this month. However, nobody has volunteered to represent the party for the post. The possible choices - deputy party leaders Korn Chatikavanij and Apirak Kosayodhin and Bangkok MP Ongart Klampaiboon are still silent.

This period might just be spent in studying "the volunteers" so the party’s executive can approve and unveil the party’s representative by the end of the year. And that person is very likely to be Sukhumbhand.

The Democrats’ opponent Pheu Thai Party has given no clear signal who it would field. Rumours of Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan were denied by Sudarat herself. Pheu Thai might wait to consider its candidate until seeing the Democrats’. If it was Sukhumbhand, Science and Technology Minister Plodprasob Surassawadi might be selected; but if it is former finance minister Korn, Pheu Thai might choose Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong. Another choice could be former Bangkok MP Paveena Hongsakula - who is running the Pavena Foundation for women and children.

Despite the uncertainty, Sukhumbhand is preparing to declare his achievements on Friday. At the same time, Sukhumbhand’s team is trying to present his record and distance him from inter-party political conflicts. Meanwhile, the Pheu Thai Bangkok MPs are scrutinising Sukhumbhand, especially in relation to the contract that hired BTS to run the Skytrain for 30 years, and the flood prevention plan.

Nevertheless, more candidates are expected and the decision will then be left in the hands of Bangkok voters.

-- The Nation 2012-08-28