BANGKOK GOVERNORSHIP
AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK & SUPOJ WANCHAROEN
Prapas Chongsa-nguan, governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority, accepts greetings from supporters at City Hall as he formally enters the race for the Bangkok governorship under the banner of the ruling People Power party. |
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej will ask the Election Commission (EC) to delay the Bangkok gubernatorial election because of the imposition of a state of emergency in the capital. Mr Samak said at his press conference on the announcement of a state of emergency that the decree would affect campaigning for the city election, which is set for Oct 5.
Registration of candidates for the governorship began on Monday and continues until Friday.
Mr Samak said the emergency decree prohibits public gatherings of more than five people, which makes it difficult to campaign.
Therefore, he would ask the election regulator to delay both the campaign period and the date of the election.
Mr Samak yesterday morning accompanied Prapas Chongsa-nguan, who has just resigned from the post of governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA), to apply to enter the race for city governor election under People Power party brand.
Regarding the State of Emergency announced in Bangkok, City Clerk Pongsak Semsant said candidacy registration would proceed until further notice from the City Hall.
EC secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn said he did not know how long the governor election would be postponed.
''No one knows how long the emergency decree will be in place,'' he said.
Mr Prapas, who gets number 10 in the election, said he would campaign under the slogan ''Modern Bangkok.''
Mr Prapas said he had wanted to run as an independent but decided later to contest under the PPP banner because he would have a better chance of winning.
His campaign will capitalise on his expertise in mass transit management, but it would not be his only policy focus.
He promises to improve the environment, promote Bangkok as a tourism and business centre and devise long-term flood prevention.
He downplayed former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin's popularity, saying he would not contest the election unless he was confident of a victory.
Mr Prapas admitted the campaign period of 30 days was very short but said his previous professional experiences would work to his advantage.
Mr Prapas declined to name his potential deputy governors.
He went to the City Hall to register his candidacy yesterday. He was accompanied by Prime Minister and PPP leader Samak Sundaravej.
Mr Samak said Mr Prapas was free to formulate his policy platform.
The PPP has Transport Minister Santi Promphat overseeing vote campaigns for Mr Prapas. Industry Minister Mingkwan Sangsuwan handles public relations, and Deputy Public Health Minister Wicharn Meenchainant is campaign coordinator.
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