Mana

He has drawn up a list of 11 candidates

Ampa Santimatanedol

Former Bangkok governor Chamlong Srimuang would name Mana Mahasuveerachai as his recommended choice of candidate for the gubernatorial election, a source said.

Maj-Gen Chamlong will announce his decision this afternoon.

He has boiled down his list of 11 people who showed interest in running as candidates under his patronage, the source said.

Mr Mana, 49, is the former Si Sa Ket MP and former transport deputy minister under the Palang Dharma party.

Maj-Gen Chamlong earlier said the person who won his endorsement would have to fit seven qualities which made for a good governor: he or she must be honest, truthful, decisive, hard-working, capable, skillful in coordination, and under 60.

Bangkok governor hopeful Pol Capt Chalerm Yubamrung greets his supporters while opening an election centre on Rama III Road yesterday. — Kosol Nakachol

Maj-Gen Chamlong said his job was to propose a potential candidate whom he thought would be suitable to lead city hall.

He insisted he would not worry if the person he decided to support did not satisfy the Thai Rak Thai party since it was his personal crusade to find the potential candidate who had nothing to do with the ruling party.

``In the end, the people of Bangkok will be the judge,'' he said.