Abhisit affirms support for 'experienced' Sukhumbhand

Abhisit affirms support for 'experienced' Sukhumbhand

Sukhumbhand Paribatra is the most suitable person to run as the Democrat Party's candidate in the coming gubernatorial election, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva affirmed on Friday.

Abhisit Vejjajiva (Photo by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd)

He said the opposition party was fully behind the current Bangkok governor's bid for a second term in office.

The party's candidate selection committee had considered all four potential Democrat candidates  - MR Sukhumbhand, Korn Chatikavanij, Korbsak Sabhavasu and Prakorb Jirakitti - and had chosen MR Sukhumbhand because of his experience in working with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, the former prime minister said.

It was revealed on Thursday that the decision was far from unanimous, with MR Sukhumband getting nine votes against six from the 16 member committee.

He said MR Sukhumbhand would not bring political conflict to the management of the capital.

"Given his honesty and diligence, the party resolved to field MR Sukhumbhand in the election, and former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin is his campaign director,” Mr Abhisit said. 

Asked about the result of the latest opinion poll, which indicates the Democrat candidate is trailing in the race,  Mr Abhisit said the party is geared up for the election and hopes that Bangkok voters still have confidence in MR Sukhumbhand for his past work, including flood management, regardless of national politics.

MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)

To ensure accountability and silence critics, the Democrat Party would from now work more closely with the BMA. It had allowed the governor to operate freely in the past. 

MR Sukhumbhand thanked the Democrat executives for their support in seeking re-election on Feb 17.

He said the Bangkok governor's job is both demanding and complicated. A new governor would need time to learn, but if he were re-elected he would be able to continue and improve on the work he had already done in the last four years.

"[If elected], I'll focus on traffic and environmental problems and the safety of people and property. I'll go forward at full speed for the better well-being of the Bangkokians," the incumbent governor said.

He said he has not yet decided when he will resign as Bangkok governor but he will certainly not stay as an interim governor because it could cause uneasiness to BMA officials.

"I'll have to check when is the auspicious date I should resign because I am a Thai who believes in sacred tradition.

"I don't have to conceal this belief because nine out of 10 Thais also believe in this so I don't need to feel ashamed," MR Sukhumbhand said.

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