Bangkok
governor election
Governor
needed to `clean up mess'
TUL PINKAEW Bangkokians believe their City of Angels is a shambles, and they aren't going to take it any more. They have made up their minds on what they want to clean up the mess, and come Sunday, their voices will be heard. "I don't want a corrupt governor who is in it for the money," says Pronkamol Kumsane, 56, a Silom Road pork vendor on Silom road. "I want someone who really wants to help us. I would prefer a candidate from a political party with a long and prestigious history because they know what they are doing." Prapassorn Narkchin, 30, says she wants a governor prepared to do everything possible to make Bangkok a better place. "I don't want blank promises. I want the real deal and I already know who I want to be my governor." Chainarong Chamkrachang, 22, an office worker says he wants to see a new-look Bangkok _ modern, attractive, and able to compete with other capitals like Singapore, New York and London. "Please arrange a proper trading place for all the pavement markets because they are truly a menace," said Mr Chainarong. Rossapat Rueksasut, 40, a boutique stall owner, also wants the Bangkok streets cleaned up. "The street markets are ruining my business, people buy clothes from these street vendors as they are cheaper," said Ms Rossapat. "The new governor must control the growth of these street stalls for the sake of true Bangkokians." Pranee Thongsa, 52, a city garbage collector says the new governor should give all garbage collectors a raise because the streets are so dirty. A first time voter like 18-year-old student Ratana Mekchoeu from Rajamangala Institute of Technology Bangkok Campus said she was looking forward to the Sunday election. "It comes only once every four years, like the Olympics, so I wouldn't miss it for the world." A 30-year-old nurse who works near Lumpini Park, meanwhile, said the government's 30 baht scheme is inadequate and has framed her vote around the issue. "Patients under the 30-baht scheme can only receive treatment at a hospital they had registered for. Sometimes these hospitals are not equipped to handle serious cases, and the patients die while awaiting transfer to a larger medical institute," said the nurse, who requested anonymity. "So I want a governor who will change these rules, even if it's only just in Bangkok." Sumit Sairat, 40, a motorcycle taxi driver says he would like the new governor to make the motorcycle taxi job a proper profession. "I want to see special yellow licence plates like they have for regular taxis," said Mr Sumit. Assoc Prof Aram Siriphan of Chulalongkorn University's faculty of Political Science sees the election as a power struggle between the country's two dominant parties, Thai Rak Thai and the Democrats, and said voters should examine each candidate's advisory teams carefully as they will actually be doing all the work. "A governor needs to be a good coordinator, able to work with people, able to assist the needs of others. If the governor's team of advisers and deputies is equipped to take on problems, then Bangkok will definitely be a better place." "The upcoming election is a new political phenomenon. There have never been so many candidates for Bangkok governor and it will be interesting to see whether voters will flock to the polling booths like they claim, or stay home like they always do." |
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© The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2004
We welcome comments to Webmaster
Advertising enquiries to Internet Marketing