POST REPORTERS

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra denied that Democrat party candidate Apirak Kosayodhin's win in the Bangkok governor race was linked to a drop in the popularity of the ruling Thai Rak Thai party (TRT) in Bangkok.

Mr Thaksin said the Democrat victory yesterday did not send a signal that TRT was waning in the capital because the party had not fielded an official candidate in the election.

He said that TRT concentrated only on national politics and was less keen on local politics.

Thus, the Bangkok governor poll result did not affect TRT's chances of returning to win the next general elections and having a second term in office.

TRT did not field an official candidate in the race but it implicitly supported Pavena Hongsakula.

The premier congratulated the new Bangkok governor and claimed the government was ready to work with Mr Apirak to solve Bangkok's problems, particularly on major issues such as Mr Apirak's proposed traffic master plan.

``The government will support any governor chosen by a majority of Bangkokians regardless of party,'' he said. He said Mr Apirak was suitable for the post and would be a successful governor because he was young and had a ``good management background''.

Banyat Bantadtan, the Democrat party leader, said Mr Apirak's win was not an indicator of success for his party in the next general election but he assured that Mr Apirak would be left to work independently as governor as he had promised this to the Bangkok electorate.

He thanked the premier for his pledge to cooperate fully with the new governor and said he believed Mr Apirak would have no problems in working with the TRT government.

However, Nakharin Mektrairat, dean of political science at Thammasat University, predicted Mr Apirak would not have a smooth ride in the job or receive full cooperation from the government as claimed by the prime minister.

He said Mr Apirak would be unable to pursue his promises to Bangkok people, particularly for his traffic master plan, as this might conflict with the government's traffic plan, drawn up by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning. He said that traffic projects also need approval and money from the government.