Ampa Santimatanedol

Former Bangkok governor Chamlong Srimuang has given his backing to PM's adviser Krasae Chanawong standing as a Thai Rak Thai candidate in the Bangkok gubernatorial election.

The party has decided not to field a candidate, though Dr Krasae is hoping it will have second thoughts.

Maj-Gen Chamlong, former Palang Dharma party leader and political mentor of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said Dr Krasae, 67, was suitable as he was honest and had a clean record.

Dr Krasae

Dr Krasae's age would not be a problem as he was in excellent health and could handle the job.

Maj-Gen Chamlong had earlier backed Deputy Prime Minister Purachai Piumsombun to contest the Bangkok governor election. However, Mr Purachai refused to contest the election, saying he wanted to stay in national politics.

Dr Krasae said he was delighted Maj-Gen Chamlong had backed him as candidate. ``After reports spread that I was interested in contesting the election, several senior officials and former top officials from the city administration phoned me and expressed interest in joining my team,'' said Dr Krasae.

He was willing to quit national politics and contest the governor election if Bangkok people responded well.

A source said former city clerk Kriangsak Lohachala had contacted Dr Krasae and wanted to be on his team. Chart Thai party-list MP Kobsak Chutikul had also shown an interest in joining.

Mr Kobsak was upset after his party decided not to field him as a candidate.