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This column is for self-study or classroom use and gives guided help with reading the wide variety of writing styles and topics that appear as feature articles in the Bangkok Post. The lessons include background information, skill-building practice and vocabulary explanations. February 1, 2005 Who would you vote for? INTRODUCTION

Let’s suppose you are old enough to vote in Sunday’s election. Let’s also suppose that you live in Bangkok’s constituency 7. There are two well-known candidates competing for a seat in parliament from that constituency. Who would you vote for? Before you decide, read the two stories. Make a list of what you think are the strong points for each candidate. You’ll want to consider things such as experience, character, educational background, political party and, of course, the policies they are proposing or supporting. When you finish, make your decision. Be prepared to explain your decision.

OUR STORIES FROM THE BANGKOK POST Banker wants to help solve voter problems In old job he did not do enough, Korn says NATTAYA CHETCHOTIROS Democrat candidate Korn Chatikavanij in his campaign for the general election — SOMCHAI LAOPAISARNTAKSIN Democrat candidate Korn Chatikavanij in his campaign for the general election. —Somchai Laopaisarntaksin] Korn Chatikavanij, former president of leading financial institution JP Morgan, is determined to represent Bangkok’s constituency 7 for the Democrats even though his party appears doomed for the opposition bench. Speaking of the tough campaign he faces in the constituency covering Yannawa and Sathon, Mr Korn said he had spent nearly 50 days after stepping down from JP Morgan trying to reach as many voters as possible, particularly grassroots people, to convince them of his determination. He admitted what he learned from talking to voters was different from what he learned from his work and reading. Many parents still experienced difficulty finding the money to pay for extra education expenses despite the government’s policy to provide free education, he said. Several communities were also still in need of public utilities, Mr Korn said. “Although these problems should be handled by city or district councillors, I think that help from MPs is also necessary.” He said he opted to run in a constituency rather than on the party list because doing so would enable him to learn more about people’s problems. Mr Korn leaves home early in the morning and returns late at night these days. His rival from the ruling Thai Rak Thai party, actor Danuporn “Brook” Punnakant, is doing the same thing. But Mr Korn believes he has advantages over Mr Danuporn. First of all, city and district councillors representing this constituency have been Democrats for eight consecutive terms. Also, senior Democrats Charoen Khanthawong and Abhisit Vejjajiva have run in the constituency. In the forthcoming election, the two are on the party list. For those who might favour the actor, Mr Korn said he will make them change their minds once he has a chance to talk to them. Most constituents, he said, had long-time loyalties to the Democrats and it will be difficult for any candidate to break those ties. Mr Korn has long worked in financial circles. After receiving a bachelor’s degree from Oxford University in England, he worked in London for three years. Back in Thailand, he founded JF Thanakhom, a finance and securities firm, when he was 24. He is now 40. Being close to the people on a daily basis, he has begun to realise that in his career he did not help grassroots people as much as they deserved, Mr Korn said. Now, he was confident he would be able to provide them with what they needed, he said. doomed certain to fail or suffer grassroots involving the ordinary people of an organisation or an area utilities services provided for the public like electricity, water or gas supply opted chose rival opponent; competitor ties connections; relationships Danuporn will not brook mudslinging in campaign Former actor expects tough fight in Democrat city stronghold Thai Rak Thai candidate Danuporn "Brook" Punnakan at Wat Pariwas in Yanawa. — CHANAT KATANYU If finger-pointing is the norm among politicians in the run-up to an election, newcomer candidate Danuporn Punnakan says he will not be part of it. The former movie star who will stand for Thai Rak Thai in Bangkok at the Feb 6 election says he is a strong believer in fair play. He would not resort to dirty politics, even if it could win him extra votes. Danuporn, or Brook as he is known among his fans, said a party member had once offered to provide him with information which he could use against his Democrat rival, Korn Chatikavanij. He is standing in constituency 7 of Yanawa and Sathorn in Bangkok. But he rejected the offer outright because he didn’t want to sling mud to win votes. He would not solicit support from other movie stars, including his girlfriend, Suwanan (alias Kob) Kongying, but would not turn down offers of help on the campaign trail either. When he went out with his girlfriend on Loy Krathong night, he took off his Thai Rak Thai windbreaker which he wore during campaigning because he didn’t want to be accused of exploiting his girlfriend for electioneering purposes. Mr Danuporn says he needs to speak to as many residents as possible in a constituency where he expects to face tough competition. Being a star was an advantage because he was already known among constituents. However, he still needed to meet people face-to-face to tell them about the party’s platform, what he would do for them and how he could fix their problems. Mr Danuporn said he would have to work harder than his Democrat rival because the constituency has been a Democrat stronghold for years. “This is my first step into politics. It does not matter whether I win or lose but I must try my best.” He would not want to feel sorry afterwards for not trying hard enough. Campaigning long hours every day was not a problem, he said, adding that acting was just as tiring. In his six years in show business, he rarely took a day off. Although the election is his first venture in politics, Mr Danuporn is no stranger to political life. His grandfather, Gen Pong Punnakan, was a cabinet member in the Thanom Kittikachorn regime, while his elder brother Putthipong is Democrat MP for Bangkok. Mr Danuporn said he joined Thai Rak Thai because he liked its policies, not because he disliked the Democrats. With two sons contesting the election in different constituencies under different party banners, their parents have decided to remain impartial by not helping either of them in campaigning. Political matters are kept away from home to avoid conflicts between the brothers. Mr Danuporn said he didn't expect to spend a lot of money campaigning. The party, he said, would pay for campaign posters while he would pay for the rest, such as the cost of pamphlets, an election office, and staff, from his own savings. With a master’s degree in economics from the US and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ramkhamhaeng University, Mr Danuporn believes he is qualified to represent Bangkok voters. He is keen on tackling drugs and youth problems and says he would like to devote his energy to those areas. finger-pointing criticising; mudslinging norm usual or expected behaviour resort to to make use of, especially something bad, because there is no other solution solicit to ask for support windbreaker a jacket designed to protect your from the wind platform the policies of a political party venture attempt at an activity impartial not support one person or group over another pamphlets thin books with a paper cover, containing information about a particular subject • This lesson was prepared by Acharn Terry Fredrickson, BA Stanford, MA (TESL) University of Minnesota, Manager/Editor of the Learning Post at the Bangkok Post and general editor of this programme. Read our other instant lesson here. Return to our home page. | © The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. All rights reserved 2005 | Last modified: January 31, 2005