PREEYANAT PHANAYANGGOOR

Democrat candidate Apirak Kosayodhin yesterday said he would immediately translate his campaign pledges into action.

He made the announcement after unofficial results in the Bangkok governor election showed him far ahead of his closest rival, Pavena Hongsakula.

Mr Apirak said he was ready to work hard to bring positive changes to the city.

During his election campaign, he pledged to solve traffic problems, turn the capital into a beautiful, clean and green city, make Bangkok a safe place, improve the quality of life and make the city a place with opportunities where people could stand on their own two feet and prosper.

He will meet Bangkok residents today to thank them for their support in the election.

Democrat deputy leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, who played a key role in campaigning for Mr Apirak, said his party was willing to work with the government.

Mr Abhisit said the election outcome showed the party has gained the trust of Bangkok residents and would work hard to deserve this trust.

FMr Apirak's victory over Mrs Pavena was due to the ruling Thai Rak Thai party's active support for Mrs Pavena, a poll expert said yesterday.

Sukhum Chaloeysap, director of Suan Dusit Poll, said Mrs Pavena had led the polls until two weeks before the election, when the government made clear its support for her with favourable comments from Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop, who is leader of the Chart Pattana party to which Mrs Pavena belonged before she quit to run as an independent.

Mr Sukhum said Thai Rak Thai's backing had adversely affected Mrs Pavena's popularity and instead rebounded in favour of Mr Apirak, increasing the gap between the two candidates by up to 10% in the last lap before voting day.

Mr Sukhum said Mr Apirak's background as a successful businessman also attracted Bangkokians, who felt it was similar to Mr Thaksin's.

They started to doubt Mrs Pavena's ability to run Bangkok since she was perceived only as a social crusader and not a successful administrator.

Mr Sukhum said the vote for Mr Apirak came from people who sympathised with the opposition party and wanted to stem the increasing power of Thai Rak Thai.