SUPOJ WANCHAROEN

Mana Mahasuveerachai, a candidate for Bangkok governor, waves to onlookers while on the campaign trail on a motorcycle along Silom road yesterday. Riding pillion is Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, his mentor.

The latest tactic in generating awareness and interest in Mana Mahasuveerachai, a candidate in the Aug 29 city poll, is the use of motorcycle taxis blaring campaign messages and songs on the capital's streets.

The idea, however, can be accredited to Mr Mana's backer, former city governor Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang.

''The motorcycles are Maj-Gen Chamlong's idea. Mr Mana is not yet very well known and only has a handful of campaign boards because of lack of money,'' assistant director of Mr Mana's campaign centre Pornpracha Pansasakul said.

''So he chose to use motorcycles as they are cheap and can go anywhere. They are more practical and convenient than the pick-up trucks used by other candidates,'' he said.

Mr Pornpracha said 10 motorcyclists had been hired for the task, and some had assisted in Maj-Gen Chamlong's previous campaigns. The motorcycles have been fitted with loudspeakers and tape players to broadcast messages or music. Ocassionally Mr Mana or Maj-Gen Chamlong ride along as a passenger.

Two motorcycles are being deployed on each of five routes that cover all parts of the city. Each rider must cover a route from 6-10am and 3-7pm daily, and they are paid about 450 baht per day.



''These guys are on the frontline, as they are out on the streets getting our message across, distributing brochures, and gathering opinions and feedback from the public,'' Mr Pornpracha said.

Kittikhachorn Charoen, 32, who is working as one of the campaign ''riders'', said the short-term job was more difficult than working as a regular motorcycle taxi because he had to ride about 30km without a break. Hetook the job on because of his faith in Maj-Gen Chamlong.

''People in the communities that I have reached have smiled at me, possibly because it's a different method of campaigning,'' he said.

Another motorcyclist, Theerapol Thanahongsa, 32, said many people had told him they would like to meet Mr Mana and Maj-Gen Chamlong in person to discuss better ways of garbage disposal.

Mr Pornpracha said bicycles and tricycle carts would also be deployed as part of Mr Mana's campaign in busy areas, such as Victory Monument, and in public parks.

Taxi driver Panya Nakhwan, 36, said he had seen the motorcycles in Ploenchit and Lumpini and admired the fact that they represented an economical way of campaigning for votes.

However, Mr Panya said he did not know whether or not he would vote for Mr Mana as he was not familiar with the candidate.