COMMENTARY
Ploenpote Atthakor
Without a question, the forthcoming Bangkok governor election is turning into a one-horse race, with Apirak Kosayodhin taking a clear lead.
Things were much different when the erstwhile governor was introduced to politics four years ago, when Mr Apirak fought the mighty Thai Rak Thai under then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He's no longer a political novice, and with less than a week remaining before election day this Sunday, Mr Apirak - who is deputy leader of the Democrat party - looks set to shatter the dreams of his political rivals, reducing them from hopefuls to desperate wannabes.
Dubious scandals - the 16 mega construction projects, the unfinished BRT (Bus Rapid Transit), and a legal case involving the six-billion-baht procurement of firefighting trucks and boats - are unlikely to stop him from staging a comeback at City Hall. Mr Apirak's anticipated victory is likely to stem from the large political base of the Democrats in Bangkok. His main rival, former MRT big boss Prapas Chongsa-nguan, may grab some votes from the People Power party's base in the capital, which is smaller than that of the opposition party. It's also interesting how Kriengsak Charoenwongsak (or Dr Dan) is trying to maximise his chances by presenting himself as the better version of Mr Apirak. But that's of little use as they are much too alike and many voters may not bother to get to know the "other" Apirak.
It's perhaps this deemed easy victory of Mr Apirak that makes the race dull - apparently city voters have a lukewarm reaction to the entire proceedings, discarding the spicy campaigns of former massage parlour king Chuwit Kamolwisit and textile queen Leena Jang. Or, perhaps, they are simply fed up with dead-end politics, with the PAD and its disciples locking horns with the PPP?
The ex-governor may be a far cry from being the favourite boss at City Hall, as a number of city officials have frowned upon his lack of knowledge of regulations and state procedure, given the fact that all his experience has been in the private sector. Some are not used to - even abhor - his business-style aggressiveness while others complain of his concern about his image.
That city voters want to give Mr Apirak another chance is not surprising, however.
His expected win has something to do with performance - after all, this political novice was able to fulfil the expectations of city voters who knew well in advance about his limited knowledge of state affairs. Voters also concede that he is hardworking (through his vigorous PR campaigns, of course) and they are willing to forgive him his shortcomings.
Actually he is one of the few governors who have managed to escape public castigation over city floods, collapsing billboards and bad traffic.
Indeed, he deserves some credit for making the city administration a service-oriented organisation. On top of that, he has managed to make full use of his marketing skills, brilliantly maximising them for his political benefit.
No, this does not mean that the ex-governor is the perfect choice. Yes, he does have some flaws.
Voters realise that many of his green projects - for instance the model streets - are cosmetic. Although he has played his part in persuading the public to turn to cloth bags in order to reduce the use of plastic bags, there has been little progress in waste management because city people are reluctant to sort out their garbage - which is key to recycling - for they realise that all the waste will eventually be mixed in the landfills. Little, if any, has been done to educate the public about toxic electronic waste.
Making Bangkok green means more than PR gigs.
Mr Apiralk also seems to pay too little attention to the systemic corruption in the organisation. There are still complaints about kickbacks when one seeks approval from city hall for house repairs or modifications. So much work is needed to make the administration more transparent and accountable.
So there is no reason for Mr Apirak to be complacent; he must fix the problem and prove to voters that he is, indeed, the worthier choice.
Ploenpote Atthakor writes for the Outlook Section, Bangkok Post.
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