COMMENTARY
Ploenpote Atthakor
Much like the Somchai Wongsawat administration, Bangkok has become paralysed, as the PAD army is fiercely engaging in what it claims to be its 'final war" and enjoys its daily "victory".
The ongoing "war," together with fears for its ugly consequences, has substantially ruined the city people's mood for many things. Among them is the mood for the election for governor which has been scheduled for Jan 11, to seek a replacement for Apirak Kosayodhin, who resigned the post as one of the most popular governors in Bangkok history.
Some may argue that the city people are "politically fatigued" as they have been trapped in a long-standing political deadlock. Not to mention that there have been too many elections in a row - the national elections (Dec 23, 2007) which simply landed us nowhere; the Senate election (March 2), and the Bangkok governor election just last month.
Another quick national election is highly possible, too, if one takes note of the dysfunctionality in PM Somchai's administration. All this explains why eligible voters hardly care who will represent which party in the Jan 11, 2009 gubernatorial election.
The decision of the Democrat party to field M R Sukhumbhand Paribatra, former deputy foreign minister (1997-2001) and shadow foreign minister for the current troubled administration, hardly adds spice to the local political scene. For some the mom rajawongse might be a questionable choice - after all, his image is more that of an academic, rather than an administrator for a mega-city like Bangkok. But this doesn't necessarily mean he cannot emerge as the winner. On the contrary, M R Sukhumbhand would be a strong candidate, given his party's solid base in Bangkok as well as the fact that he is a familiar face on the political scene.
Not to mention that M R Sukhumbhand has been at the frontline in past elections, as party poll manager for Bangkok, who deserves credit for every Democrat poll victory, including the previous two gubernatorial elections which put Mr Apirak in the city's top administrative post.
However, the fielding of M R Sukhumbhand, a listed party member, appears to allow his potential political rivals to relax and have some hope in the upcoming election.
M L Nattakorn "Pluem" Devakula may want to join the race - after withdrawing from the fight at the last minute to avoid coming up against Mr Apirak in the October poll. It would be no surprise if he turns up to register himself as an independent candidate during the five-day registration period which starts this Sunday.
After being rejected by the Democrats, the former Assets Security Commission's Kaewsan Atibodhi is likely to propose himself to city voters as independent candidate for the top job.
The former massage parlour baron, Chuvit Kamolvisit, might also feel more at ease and again field himself in the election, while the People Power party will continue to try and convince former subway boss Prapat Chongsa-nguan to run again under the PPP banner.
Kriengsak Charoenwongsak appears to be the only failed candidate to show reluctance in the January poll, citing a lack of financial resources.
Despite numerous failed attempts, Leena Jangjanja still ardently refuses to abandon her hope to become a serious female politician. The same goes for the ambitious Waranchai Chokechana.
By the middle of next week, voters will know for sure which people are lining up for their endorsement.No matter how many candidates register, it is quite certain that Bangkok will see a low voter turnout as a result of the people's unfavourable mood.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will have to work very hard to rekindle the public's political interest and remind them of the upcoming election, encouraging them to make the right pick.
Ploenpote Atthakor writes for the Outlook section, Bangkok Post.
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