Countdown clarity, please

EDITORIAL

Published: 3 Feb 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

With the number of candidates for Bangkok governor standing at a whopping 24 as of last week, you can't say voters in the capital lack for choices in the March 3 poll. But then again, trying to find substantive differences in the candidates is another matter, because for the most part they make promises that are seldom if ever backed up by analyses of their feasibility and cost.

Out of the two dozen-plus candidates, only eight are considered "serious", and probably only two have a realistic chance of assuming the office - Democrat-backed incumbent Sukhumbhand Paribatra and Pheu Thai-backed Pongsapat Pongcharoen. But neither of the front-runners has a commanding lead. According to the latest survey by Bangkok University, Mr Pongsapat is ahead of MR Sukhumbhand by a scant 23.9% to 23.6%, and with 42.1% of respondents saying they hadn't yet made up their minds who to vote for, anything could happen. This important point should be enough to make the eight major contenders sharpen their game in the next four weeks and be prepared to explain their positions more clearly and how they would go about implementing them.

According to the survey, the two most urgent areas for the new governor to address are the rising cost of living and traffic congestion. The first of these is probably almost completely out of the hands of any city governor, but there's always hope for the latter if the right policies are implemented, and this, of course, means a well thought out and comprehensive mass transit system.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

genii
Post : 771
Send message

Discussion 7 : 03 Feb 2013 at 20.417
Post this to my Facebook
There should be a live televised debate between the candidates
Like dislike 1 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
CMfarang
Post : 733
Send message

Discussion 6 : 03 Feb 2013 at 17.096
Post this to my Facebook
Disc.1:'My friends who are fiercely anti-Thaksin, say they will vote for Pongsapat. The reason they gave is that he will be able to work better with PM Yingluck'

He will do as he is told as does Yingluck.
Like dislike 3 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
tamsin
Post : 117
Send message

Discussion 5 : 03 Feb 2013 at 10.285
Post this to my Facebook
Seems to me it's the press, not just here but anywhere in the world, who decide who the main contenders are. This newspaper has given some, if not scant, information as to the other contenders' policies. I see this everywhere. Any outsiders barely get a look in. This constant focus on just two (usually politically connected) contenders is simply herding the electorate like sheep in the oft used subtle way of keeping their names constantly at the forefront of their news.
Like dislike 10 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
crismango
Post : 208
Send message

Discussion 4 : 03 Feb 2013 at 07.534
Post this to my Facebook
Helicopters? now there's an idea, but what a pity it would be if they crashed? we would lose all the brains of leadership through such disasters...
Like dislike 10 people liked / 7 people disliked this comment
oldairman
Post : 805
Send message

Discussion 3 : 03 Feb 2013 at 07.503
Post this to my Facebook
The main problem with "free buses and klong boats" is that they are not actually free as someone has to pay the bill.
In this case it will be the citizens and taxpayers of Bangkok.
Mr Pongsapat has proposed free rides on all non-air-conditioned public buses and free rides on passenger boats on Khlong Saen Saep.
How will that magically free up traffic in Bangkok as they are already there and running and if he thinks people will get out of their a/c cars and ride in dirty, stinking non a/c buses he must be crazy.
Like dislike 14 people liked / 8 people disliked this comment
musashi
Post : 478
Send message

Discussion 2 : 03 Feb 2013 at 06.352
Post this to my Facebook
"In line with solving the city's traffic woes,.."

Sukhumband has clearly demonstrated how he would "improve" traffic. Before he arrived at Central Bang Na yesterday, the roads leading to the mall were blocked for his convenience. Obviously his "precious time" was saved but thousands of vehicles around Udom Suk, Bangna Trad, Srinakarin were at a standstill.

Would any of the candidates propose the use of helicopters by such VIPs? Surely helicopters will save a lot of time for VIPs (not to mention that of tens of thousands who had to wait for the roads to be unblocked).
Like dislike 11 people liked / 7 people disliked this comment
D1063N35
Post : 40
Send message

Discussion 1 : 03 Feb 2013 at 04.091
Post this to my Facebook
My friends who are fiercely anti-Thaksin, say they will vote for Pongsapat. The reason they gave is that he will be able to work better with PM Yingluck.
Like dislike 10 people liked / 12 people disliked this comment

Countdown clarity, please | Bangkok Post: opinion