The underdogs in Sunday's election for Bangkok governor say politics is irresistible and refuse to lose heart even though their chance of winning is next to zero.

The also-rans of Sunday are certain to include Varanchai Chokechana, in his fifth probably futile campaign for governor, and Suchart Kerdphol, in his third.
Mr Varanchai, a former teacher at a city school, said he did not mind that the media treats him as an underdog _ mai pradab in Thai.

"Call me what you please," he said. "But the public, as well as the media, should bear in mind previous governors who let them down were those intelligent, competent and charismatic people."
Leena Jangjanya, despite being a new face, received much attention from the press, thanks to her colourful campaign that includes transvestites and pretty ladies, scantily clad in both cases.
Ms Leena complains the newspeople ignore her policy issues.

"When the press interviews me, they don't care about my ideas or policies," she said. "They are interested in trivial things like the way I dress or the bag I carry. They seemed to judge that I could only be an underdog. That's hurtful."

Not that the businesswoman took strong offence.
"At least they still reported my activities," she admitted. "I think I'm still luckier than many other candidates who were totally ignored."

Underdog candidates (from left) Chokechai Laohachinabunchorn, Varanchai Chokechana, Sumet Tanthanasirikul, and Kittisak Thiravisit meetin the last leg of the bangkok governner race.

Veerasak Uppatham from Prachakorn Thai hoppes to gain from his party's Bangkok support base.

Udom Vibultephachart hopes to use his engineering know-how to make Bangkok a better city.

Many candidates try to sell their policy platform as a way to catch voters' attention.
Just like big candidates, the underdogs focus first and foremost on the capital city's traffic problems.
Kittisak Thiravisit, 55, said he had spent several years searching for a solution for Bangkok traffic. Now he has discovered it, he tried to sell the ideas to those in power, but nobody listened.

"This was probably because it was just Mr Kittisak's idea. But if I were the city governor, I believe people would listen to what I say," he said.

Mr Kittisak said he was a successful businessman, with accomplishments such as running a hotel and managing tourist businesses. The only ambition unrealised is a chance to solve traffic problems.

Mr Suchart, 56, said deep faith in Buddhism was his inspiration to run. He has a strong belief all social problems could be solved if people had Dharma in their minds and, in particular, practice the five Buddhist precepts in their everyday life.

Mr Suchart conceded he doesn't expect much on Sunday. "Win or lose, I'm still proud I can convince a number of people to turn to the five precepts," he said.

Minor candidates also have to keep election campaign expenses down. Giant billboards and TV airtime are unaffordable.

Yet, each managed to come up with a unique strategy to be seen and heard.
Vithaya Jangkobpattana, 56, a former Bank of Thailand official, said he had no money for posters and banners. Instead he walked alone into crowded areas, carrying a portable loudspeaker to introduce himself.
And "I wore a beard for the first time in my life so people can recognise me better," he said.

Mr Varanchai, meanwhile, said he has spent only 200,000 baht on his campaign. He made his own posters from plain paper and "printed" them with a photo copying machine lent by sympathetic friends.

"I just campaign on my motorcycle, distributing my campaign leaflets," he said. "Sometimes, I switch to my 35-year-old Toyota car that has a loud speaker on top."

Being poor and lacking money for a big campaign is no big thing, he insisted. He is a former teacher at a Bangkok government school, and currently is a partner with his younger brother in a family business in Si Sa Ket.
Chokechai Laohachinabunchorn, 46, said he would spend less than 500,000 baht on his campaign. His strategy is a direct approach to eligible voters via one million letters and four million emails.

Sumet Tanthanasirikul, 45, who quit business to enter politics, said he had a volunteer team, "Krungthep Pattana," to help him campaign. Each day, around 100 volunteers engage in a door-to-door campaign on his behalf.
Capt Metta Temchamnan, however, firmly believes he is predestined to be governor of Bangkok.

"It is such a good timing. I have just received a bachelor's degree in political science from Ramkhamhaeng University, and had just been given the new title," said the maverick candidate, who had to leave military service to enter the race. "Everything good is coming to me."

That includes the stars. "Many astrologers" predicted luck for him in the election. "The public response on the campaign trail has been so good. I expect more than 300,000 votes," he said.

Two candidates, Mr Varanchai and Ms Leena, have already announced fatalistic plans to remain in politics after the Sunday vote count _ to run for parliament next year, or for the senate at the next Upper House election in 2006.