Key PAD figure backs Sereepisuth for Bangkok governor

The Nation on Sunday

Sereepisuth

BANGKOK: -- A key member of the yellow-shirt movement has joined the campaign of Bangkok governor aspirant Sereepisuth Temeeyaves.

Praphan Koonmee of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) announced through his Facebook page that he had resigned from the PAD to help Sereepisuth, an independent candidate in next year's Bangkok gubernatorial election, run for office. Sereepisuth is a former national police chief.

Praphan decried what he sees as the failure of a political party system that offers no hope to the people.

"This gubernatorial election will be a contest between candidates fielded by political parties, and the independent candidate," Praphan wrote on his Facebook page yesterday.

"The exercise of voting rights will thus be meaningful and important for Bangkokians," he said, adding that he had numerous reasons for supporting Sereepisuth.

Praphan said Bangkok is a metropolis and needs a special form of administration that puts the people's interests first, is truly committed to solving local problems, and does not serve the interest of any political party.

Party politics have completely failed the people, Praphan said. "If we allow Bangkok to be under the domination of politicians and political parties, particularly the two big parties - which struggle for power while thinking of Bangkok as merely their power base and using Bangkokians as hostages - people will lose benefits, as the governor will be under the orders of one of the political parties, not all of which are dependable," he wrote.

Electing an independent candidate would ensure that Bangkokians have genuine political power, free from domination by any political party, he said.

Praphan wrote that people are fed up with party politics and none of the parties has the interest of the people at heart. Therefore, electing an independent candidate will teach the parties a lesson, he said.

Praphan added that he thinks independent candidates are more qualified, particularly Sereepisuth, whom he described as "highly loyal to the monarchy institution". Praphan said he had resigned from the PAD in order to avoid confusion, as the gubernatorial election is about local politics, although he would always be a PAD supporter.

-- The Nation 2012-12-23

What in the world is a high army officer doing getting his picture taken while supporting a political candidate. He says that no others have the "people's interest at heart." He probably hasn't talked with any Thai regular people in a lifetime. What is the army paying him an officer's salary for? Perhaps to pontificate at news conferences about politics?

This would be good news for PTP.

Sent from my HTC phone.

What in the world is a high army officer doing getting his picture taken while supporting a political candidate. He says that no others have the "people's interest at heart." He probably hasn't talked with any Thai regular people in a lifetime. What is the army paying him an officer's salary for? Perhaps to pontificate at news conferences about politics?

Nice rant, but that is a police officer, not an army officer. He's pictured because he want's to run for governorof Bangkok.

What in the world is a high army officer doing getting his picture taken while supporting a political candidate. He says that no others have the "people's interest at heart." He probably hasn't talked with any Thai regular people in a lifetime. What is the army paying him an officer's salary for? Perhaps to pontificate at news conferences about politics?

The picture has a caption "Sereepisuth"

If Sereepisuth is truly independent (which I doubt) and he is backed by the PAD (resigned or otherwise) then he will surely be indebted to the PAD should he be successful in becoming Governor.

If he really is independent he should reject Praphan's offer of support and go it alone.

If Sereepisuth is truly independent (which I doubt) and he is backed by the PAD (resigned or otherwise) then he will surely be indebted to the PAD should he be successful in becoming Governor.

If he really is independent he should reject Praphan's offer of support and go it alone.

He's independent of the major political parties.

If he is backed by people who are not part of the PAD, then why should he be indebted to the PAD?

Would that mean that a current PTP MP who used to be (a long time ago) a Democrat MP is indebted to the Democrats?

This guy can't win, the most likely result of this is that the anti Thaksin vote will be split, possibly causing the Democrat candidate to lose and Thaksin's candidate to win. Just like the boycott during the last general election which threw many districts to PTP. Sometimes it seems like the sole goal of PAD leaders these days, is to help PTP win elections and so that they can remain relevant.

If Sereepisuth is truly independent (which I doubt) and he is backed by the PAD (resigned or otherwise) then he will surely be indebted to the PAD should he be successful in becoming Governor.

If he really is independent he should reject Praphan's offer of support and go it alone.

When trying to be elected, it is a smart idea to accept any support offered. It is possible to be indebted to supporters without being morally bankrupt.

If Sereepisuth is truly independent (which I doubt) and he is backed by the PAD (resigned or otherwise) then he will surely be indebted to the PAD should he be successful in becoming Governor.

If he really is independent he should reject Praphan's offer of support and go it alone.

When trying to be elected, it is a smart idea to accept any support offered. It is possible to be indebted to supporters without being morally bankrupt.

This "indebted to supporters without being morally bankrupt" is a purely philosophical observation, I assume? TiT although there are other countries where things might not be that much different

Haven't we enough ex-military & ex-police in power at the moment? I'd love to see someone like Mr Condom stand for governor. Someone who has a record of helping all Thais.

Haven't we enough ex-military & ex-police in power at the moment? I'd love to see someone like Mr Condom stand for governor. Someone who has a record of helping all Thais.

I like the sentiment a lot but Sereepisuth is a one of a kind. He has a record of going after the corrupt with no regard for his own well-being. He'll go after anyone no matter how powerful they are.

Seeing that kind of bravado possibly being rewarded with a higher position makes me feel good.

Sereepisuth is a good guy but any association with PAD is the kiss of death.

Sereepisuth is a good guy but any association with PAD is the kiss of death.

No matter how tenuous? Peddlers of misinformation that use such to smear him may find that slander causes them to be disqualified as was PTP's Karun.

My question is....Is it "Key PAD figure".....or "Key Pad figure"?

If the latter just hit the Delete or Escape key and you'll be right.