'Courageous' Chuwit lies a distant second
LAMPHAI INTATHEP
Two, five, eight, and 10 are the numbers that spring to mind for Bangkok residents when asked who they want for city governor.
"I'll vote for Apirak [Kosayodhin]," said Phaiboon Chantarasrisopa, who works at the Chatuchak Weekend Market office.
Mr Apirak, Bangkok governor candidate No 5, ranked top in the latest survey by Suan Dusit Poll.
Over 57% of the voters surveyed said they would vote for Mr Apirak, followed by No 8 Chuwit Kamolvisit (17.2%), No 10 Prapas Chongsa-nguan (13%), and No 2 Kriangsak Charoenwongsak (8.5%).
Mr Phaiboon, 53, said over the past four years, Mr Apirak had made city transport better.
"He has never disappointed me," he said, referring to the former Bangkok governor, who is running under the Democrat party's banner in his bid for a second term.
The market official admitted that he had considered Mr Kriangsak, but he did not think the academic-turned-politician would be able to realise his much-publicised 300 policies for the city.
"It sounds impossible for Mr Kriangsak to achieve all of his 300 policies, so I think Mr Apirak should have another four years to continue his work and his unfinished projects," said Mr Phaiboon.
Davis Chanchaivanich, 28, also supported Mr Apirak.
The office worker said he would like to give Mr Apirak a chance, even though some of Mr Apirak's policies during his first term have been criticised as ineffective, such as the "smart" taxi stands.
"Everyone should have an opportunity of learning by doing. One can make mistakes before reaching his goal," Mr Davis said.
He called on the next governor to focus on flood prevention and environmental conservation and to increase awareness among city residents of the impact of global warming.
Kitti Phempoonkarn, a 24-year-old guitarist, said he would vote for Mr Chuwit, saying he was impressed by the former massage parlour tycoon's endeavours and courage.
"Bangkok needs a doer, not a thinker, and Mr Chuwit is the one we want," he said. "Moreover, his election posters are really striking."
Mr Apirak had performed admirably during his first four years, but Bangkok voters should give the new faces a chance, said Mr Kitti.
He said traffic is the most pressing concern for the new governor to solve.
Taxi driver Phaden Phuphanan, 34, a Kalasin native, said: "If I was a Bangkokian and eligible to vote, I would choose Mr Chuwit."
The northeasterner said he liked the candidate's idea of taxi parking spots, where drivers wait for assignment from radio centres instead of driving aimlessly around the city, which is a waste of fuel and causes traffic congestion.
The Oct 5 election will give Vitawat Plaboothong, a 19-year-old university student, his first opportunity to vote.
"My first vote will go to Mr Chuwit, because he has a unique strategy and look.
"New generations prefer a city governor who thinks outside the box," said the teenager, adding he admired the No 8 candidate for his courage to expose irregularities.
Mr Vitawat said he wanted Mr Chuwit to extend the subway route to Bang Kapi district, where traffic congestion is severe.
However, Mr Vitawat's mother, Wandee, disagreed.
"I will choose Prapas Chongsa-nguan," she said.
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