INTERVIEW KAEWSUN ATIBHODHI
Time for a new broom?
- By: ALFRED THA HLA
- Published: 9/01/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Motoring
He's got an immaculate image and some novel ideas, but are Bangkokians ready for this 'G-man'?
Bangkok gubernatorial candidate Kaewsun Atibhodhi exudes such an air of stubborn righteousness that he brings to mind a modern-day Eliot Ness, the head of that team of supposedly incorruptible US federal agents back in the 1930s, whose harassment of Chicago mafia boss Al Capone was glorified in 1987's The Untouchables, starring Kevin Costner.
A former Thammasat University law lecturer, senator for Bangkok and, most recently, secretary-general of the Assets Scrutiny Committee, this plain-spoken man upholds such a high standard of conduct in public office that he makes many of his more morally lax compatriots squirm.
Certain kingpins in the corridors of power would not relish a Kaewsun-led investigation and must hope that he is never again given the legal equivalent of a Tommy gun to wage war on corruption.
In an era where uncompromising honesty should be a prime consideration when choosing the next holder of the highest office in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Kaewsun would appear to offer such a quality in abundance.
This image might propel him into the post when voters go the polling booths on Sunday or, conversely, it could work against him, given that a previous BMA boss nicknamed "Mr Clean" proved to be such a divisive figure.
When Kaewsun dropped into the offices of the Bangkok Post a while back, Motoring wanted to chat with him on matters relating to traffic gridlock and mass-transit solutions, but it soon became apparent that the man had his own agenda, at least on that particular day.
"I wouldn't have entered [the gubernatorial race] if I didn't really believe I had a chance. I should be able to penetrate the lower income bracket and win at least 500,000 votes".
Not exactly the most humble of stances nor were these his first words of the interview but a declaration overheard while he'd been speaking earlier to one of my colleagues.
"What's missing is the hands to manage the communities in Bangkok. I want to build a system to manage communities instead of leaving it to puppets who are there just to sign documents."
In Kaewsun's opinion, the solution is to build the foundations of a system which would allow each community in the metropolitan area to handle its own finances and assess residents' needs in terms of planning and prioritising public expenditure.
"We must be precise and knowledgeable when it comes to the middle price, be it purchasing fire-fighting vehicles [the subject of a scandal in which two previous governors are alleged to have been involved] or anything else.
"No corruption; that's a sure way of creating happiness in the community."
He pulls out a small billboard illustration of an idealised community park which has areas set aside for a child-care centre, sports activities, weddings, a centre for the elderly and restaurants.
After noting that the last governor spent "about one billion baht" advertising his personal achievements in office, Kaewsun reveals that some two billion baht remains untouched in the BMA's coffers, then gets all rhetorical:
"Why not invest that money in happiness?"
Asked what measures he'd implement as governor to tackle Bangkok's appalling traffic conditions, he replies that he'd "make the city happy" by building satellite communities, in which schools and all other amenities would be within easy walking distance.
"There should be at least 14 mini-city areas where people could find everything they need, with the exception of work, within a 15- to 30-minute stroll around the neighbourhood."
Another of Kaewsun's ideas is to make main roads more accessible by connecting all the sois.
He'd "leave the rest to mass transit"; adding, "It must be electric trains considering the current energy crisis. But we'll need feeders [a shuttle bus service] to transport people to the electric-train systems."
Any plans for improving air quality in Bangkok?
"The dust particles from factories are beyond the BMA's control since the Department of Industrial Works won't let anyone look into it. But the BMA could tighten up its regulations regarding construction standards and heed what the experts have recommended on heat emitted by buildings."
Polls carried out over the past few weeks by different organisations to gauge the voting intentions of Bangkok voters this coming Sunday have produced some quite conflicting results; does Kaewsun have any thoughts on the matter?
"They're not polls," he declares after a brief chuckle, "they're guessing charts! Campaigning [for elected office] is like selling a soft drink to consumers: It's cold, sweet and thirst-quenching. The people know me. Everything will be decided on Jan 11.
"The Abac poll [conducted between December 3 and 8]? Well, I entered [the race] on the 4th and the 5th was a [public] holiday, so the only days they could have done the polling properly were the 6th and the 7th. And they claim that the results they published on the 8th were valid!"
I mention that a quick poll of Bangkok Post readers had given Kaewsun an unbeatable lead of 52% of the electorate.
"Image is just image. Why do I have to worry about it? What's important is to act and implement your policies. What I'm selling is the separation of politics from work. Just look at my resume ... do you think I can work?"
That response would probably have elicited a stiff smile of approval from Special Agent Ness, the famed G-man.
10 questions for Kaewsun
- Who's your favourite historical person?
Sanya Dharmasak [Thammasat University rector; prime minister, 1973-75].
- What's your favourite timepiece?
The Omega.
- Favourite destination, and why?
Phuket. Because I can actually travel there and it was where I had my honeymoon with my wife.
- Favourite car?
All European cars.
- Favourite book?
Mangkorn Yok [novel by Jin Yong] - Favourite restaurant?
Chanphen, near the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
- Favourite hobby?
Working with wood, making things like furniture, picture frames and chicken coops.
- What's your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is of walking in the wrong direction. So I pray every day for two things: first, to not stray away from the path of good; and second, to be free from accidents.
- Greatest achievement?
Overseeing the construction of the 5.5 billion baht Asean Games sports stadium at Thammasat's Rangsit campus.
- If you were put in charge of national automotive policy for a day, what would you do?
Make Bangkok residents happy in terms of travelling by developing and integrating the current electric-train systems with other mass-transit alternatives.
- Safer roads, anyone?
- READERS' LETTERS
- Not your mom's tyre
- Downsizing invitation
- Two in a row
- Easing off the brakes a bit
- Finn eyes title
- Radical rubber?
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