Exclusive interview: Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra

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EXCLUSIVE

BMA chief picks tough term ahead

Sukhumbhand says he's ready to work with govt

Published: 6 Mar 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra accepts he is likely to work under fierce pressure during his second term as Bangkok governor because of much higher expectations from city residents.

‘‘ Actually, I never thought I would be defeated in this election. SUKHUMBHANDPARIBATRA

"I know there is much more expected from me [in the next four years], I will do my best to serve and meet the expectations of those who elected and those who didn't vote for me," said MR Sukhumbhand in an exclusive interview with the Bangkok Post.

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android
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Discussion 23 : 07 Mar 2013 at 06.5823
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"Sukhumbhand says he's ready to work with govt"
This shows that he probably would cooperate with the government this time and open all water sluice gates surrounding bangkok to drain away the flood water when the next monsoon rain comes.
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ricefield
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Discussion 22 : 06 Mar 2013 at 22.5122
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Disc 20 - You are very accurate in your assessment. There is a national election half way through the term of the Governor. If the National government pushed visible projects that it came up with and at the same time buried the Governor,s projects in red tape and blockages without appearing to do so. They could make the Governor look totally inept and incapable and during the campaign use that as an anti Democrat tactic just as the Democrats used the Red protests to their advantage in this last gubernatorial campaign.
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ricefield
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Discussion 21 : 06 Mar 2013 at 22.4321
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Disc 6 - Wouldn't that more accurately be described as a "submarine system".

Disc 14 - If the people came out to vote against PTP how come the PTP vote Percentage went up by 12% and the Democrats only went up by 4%. Your logic is reversed.

Disc 15 - and you wouldn't have to pump the water out of tunnels that are below groundwater level.
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apachepat
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Discussion 20 : 06 Mar 2013 at 19.5220
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Bangkok has voted for four more years of the same, we all know the BMA is not like other city administrations [London,new York etc] because when the then military government set it up they gave it very few powers and many activities are mixed and mashed with various government departments resulting in lots of buck passing and inaction. I.m sure the government will work with the BMA on any projects they feel will benefit the city and people but IF Bangkok had voted for the PTP candidate then the national government may have seen fit to give more powers to the BMA to revamp it and make it more workable for the benefit of all.
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JustHuman
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Discussion 19 : 06 Mar 2013 at 16.2119
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At first thought to have 1m votes is enough? Haha, the 2nd place also have over 1m votes. Very closed MIKE! I never thought I would be defeated.....Well, isn't it easy to say when it's all over? Don't get too big headed. Now is the time to work for the people as what you have been selling during the campaign and that you are worth voting for.
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majority
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Discussion 18 : 06 Mar 2013 at 16.0018
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Sukhumbhand says he's ready to work with govt. What he did contradict what he says now. Are his words credible? May be he will have to honor what he says this time, as he sees more than half of the voters disapprove him, after reviewing his capability, performance and record in the past 4 years as the governor.
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bluebkk
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Discussion 17 : 06 Mar 2013 at 15.2217
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Congrats, governor....you have beaten the pole-sponsored-by-Dubai.... Not that 1.2 million people liked you but because they disliked the architects of the terror and arson campaign on Bangkok even more profoundly!! And... did we read any comments from UDD leaders?? Their silence says it all !!
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subcoman
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Discussion 16 : 06 Mar 2013 at 15.2216
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It was full of messages on this forum from people close to the "Democrat" Party asking for a coup to remove Yingluck next to her election and before she even starts to work because she was not the people they want to win. Check by yourself.
Strangely, I still haven't read any comments for the opponents of Sukhumbhand asking to remove him through undemocratic ways.
Haa the "Democrat" Party supporters ...... and then they don't understand why they lose every times more and more supports.
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deville
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Discussion 15 : 06 Mar 2013 at 13.4515
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Apparently the cost of above ground systems like the Skytrain is about half that per km. of underground systems like the BMTA.

Therefore a light electric monorail SHOULD cost less than either.
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ATNN
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Discussion 14 : 06 Mar 2013 at 11.3714
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I think Sukhumbhand still has it wrong. So does PTP. It wasn't that people were voting for the Democrats instead of Skuhumbhand, they were strictly voting against PTP. When that many people come out simply to vote against you, you've got problems no amount of vote buying or brainwashing can fix.
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