Six challengers for Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand in March 3 election

News > Politics

Race for City Hall at start gate

Field of 7 hopefuls pitch slogans to woo voters

Published: 15 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The race is on for the city governorship even though candidate registration does not take place until next Monday.

Six challengers have expressed an intent to take on former governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra for the seat. MR Sukhumbhand quit the post last week to run for a second term.

The latest to join the race is Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen, who quit as former deputy national police chief and former secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board to contest the race on behalf of the Pheu Thai Party.

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fma
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Discussion 16 : 15 Jan 2013 at 23.1916
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OK, I will not be allowed to vote, even if I pay several million baht in taxes, but if i had the opportunity, these are my criteria:
1. Disregard the national fighting between the democrats and the Thaksin party.
2. Focus on the candidate's track record and his (there is no 'her'?) proclaimed priorities.
3. City building regulations - do not allow the construction of condos/hotels/shopping centers anywhere and everywhere
4. Restrictions on pollution - remove polluting trucks, buses and tuktuks
5. Traffic: Force traffic police to do their jobs.
6. Traffic: Establish an online, mandatory system to register and pay fines for traffic offen
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beer_sing
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Discussion 15 : 15 Jan 2013 at 14.5715
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I vote for change and if this one fail, I will again vote for change on the next election regardless of party or affiliation. I demand better days for my children and my family.
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majority
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Discussion 14 : 15 Jan 2013 at 14.2314
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My hope is that Bangkokians will base their decision whom they vote for this time on the candidate's track record, age, experience, image, background, ability, etc. and will not pay much attention on his or her political party affiliation (like many Bangkokian did in the past). Anyway, I fully agree to Pol Gen Pongsapat's campaign slogan of "working with the government seamlessly".

I believe the past "one country, two systems" situation, especially one of the two systems saw another system his enemy, in fact victimized Bangkokians.
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dao
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Discussion 13 : 15 Jan 2013 at 10.4813
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Governor wish list
1.Trains and subways that reach all parts of the city .
2.Garbage cans with regular garbage pick up .
3.Closure of illegal casinos
4.Huge amounts of green space by clearing broken down telephone booths and making Expressway Thailand build parks under their elevated routes .
5.Renovation of canals with walkways and fines for polluters .
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dao
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Discussion 12 : 15 Jan 2013 at 10.4412
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I support Sukhumband for lack of a better choice .PT milks Bangkok like a cow for its populist handouts .Ratchprasong was occupied and burned under their watch .
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tansri
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Discussion 11 : 15 Jan 2013 at 10.0711
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Bangkok is dirtier because pavement became food center, fruit and merchandise market. All garbage is left for rats bigger than any cat with no collection. A space of 2 sq.m. on Rachawat pavement is asking for 50,000 baht. Amazingly how can you auction the pavement. Bangkok cannot be a metropolis for all as long as it still charges two tier pricing to all tourists. The City Hall and surrounding area is too crowd yet new larger 2 buildings are underway it's so crowd that traffic needs to be redirected. During construction BMA distributed staff to all 50 district offices. So why are they not station there permanently, saving billions budget.
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boontong
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Discussion 10 : 15 Jan 2013 at 10.0410
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I will vote for change, not the familiarity of irregularities, that I have witness since 2004.
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rebel4ever
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Discussion 9 : 15 Jan 2013 at 08.129
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MR Sukhumbhand is campaigning on the slogan: "Love Bangkok, make Bangkok a metropolis for all." Well let's first see what he has done so far for Bangkok. An unfinished stadium, blocking cooperation while having floods, favouring BTS with an (illegal?)extended contract. You want more of this? He promised better pavements in Bangkok. Well, he did in the Silom, Sathorn area, but is now destroying them again by allowing the installation of more advertisement poles on the pavements. Broken tiles and you have to walk on the roads to go around them. And all for the money. Don't make me laugh; a metropolis for all...
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Victor
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Discussion 8 : 15 Jan 2013 at 08.088
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The Dem had their chance (and blew it), time to let him enjoy his wine in peace.
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nitnoi
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Discussion 7 : 15 Jan 2013 at 07.327
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#7 candidate is retired army captain with the look of mafioso.If there are a lot of gangsters in BKK. he will be up to the task.Let check pompom ,ra-ra-ra!!, we cheer capiton Metta, ra-ra-ra!!. I am acting cheer leader, got carried away, sorry about it.
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