Political bluff won't work in Bangkok race

COMMENTARY

Political bluff won't work in Bangkok race

Published: 25 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Like most of the past governor elections, the upcoming March 3 contest will definitely be a two-horse race.

And it will be a tough competition between the opposition Democrat Party and the ruling Pheu Thai Party, which in its former incarnations has been a big loser in the Bangkok polls since 2004 when Apirak Kosayothin, then a political novice, won a landslide victory.

As contestants in this fierce battle, both Democrat MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra and Pheu Thai nominee Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen (whom the media cordially call by the nickname "Judy") have proved they are willing to do anything to gain media attention.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

wyle
Post : 200
Send message

Discussion 14 : 25 Jan 2013 at 17.1314
Post this to my Facebook
In 2010, the BKK police stood by and did nothing while the Red Shirts laid siege to the city. It was only after the do nothing police refused to do their jobs that the military was called in to break that siege. Now the people are asked to elect a policeman with very strong ties to the same elements who tried to bring down Bangkok. I hope the people of BKK do not fall for the false claims of the Red Shirt sponsored government.
Like dislike 26 people liked / 5 people disliked this comment
peterd
Post : 678
Send message

Discussion 13 : 25 Jan 2013 at 17.0713
Post this to my Facebook
Dear #12, i hope you understood that the "statistics" i cite in my post are absolutely impartial as they come from the Corruption Perceptions Index, international ranking Independent and accountable.
Like dislike 5 people liked / 20 people disliked this comment
onlyme
Post : 412
Send message

Discussion 12 : 25 Jan 2013 at 15.1812
Post this to my Facebook
peterd - If you were here back in the early 2000's then you would know that suppression of information was at its greatest and freedom of press was a joke. True information never really got to the street so it is impossible to make valid comparisons.
Like dislike 16 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
andreaust
Post : 474
Send message

Discussion 11 : 25 Jan 2013 at 14.0511
Post this to my Facebook
"By using the term "seamless", the prime minister tries to project Pol Gen Pongsapat as the best choice, suggesting there will be no distance between him and the ruling party."
May be the PM wanted to say that if Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen is elected he can rest assured that Tarit won't try anything against him.
Like dislike 19 people liked / 3 people disliked this comment
mitrapaap
Post : 908
Send message

Discussion 10 : 25 Jan 2013 at 13.0510
Post this to my Facebook
The only mistake Phongsapat made is to join the party before his cadidacy.
Like dislike 8 people liked / 5 people disliked this comment
dao
Post : 4,647
Send message

Discussion 9 : 25 Jan 2013 at 12.169
Post this to my Facebook
The choices are clear tool of Thaksin or Someone who seems to support taxpayers .People pay tax in Bangkok .
Like dislike 30 people liked / 6 people disliked this comment
peterd
Post : 678
Send message

Discussion 8 : 25 Jan 2013 at 12.158
Post this to my Facebook
#2, i cannot precisely answer for Bangkok but for Thailand corruption was a lot downer under the TS administration (55th rank in 2005)) than under the AV administration (84th rank in 2009). "people will believe that corruption will worsen"... You maybe right but its just because the propaganda to justify the coup.
Like dislike 13 people liked / 26 people disliked this comment
joninnak
Post : 358
Send message

Discussion 7 : 25 Jan 2013 at 10.427
Post this to my Facebook
There is a difference of working with the government or taking orders from the government. The voters consider it and will decide.
Like dislike 33 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
bluebkk
Post : 1,356
Send message

Discussion 6 : 25 Jan 2013 at 09.506
Post this to my Facebook
A lot of water under the red bridge , but at the end Bangkokians can and will never forget who burned and terrorized their city...And ten thousand billboards sponsored from abroad will not help....
Like dislike 42 people liked / 9 people disliked this comment
ringmaster
Post : 745
Send message

Discussion 5 : 25 Jan 2013 at 06.585
Post this to my Facebook
PT's "seamless" argument seems like sound logic to me. Who is more likely to work better with the ruling party? Sukhumbhand or Pongsapat? And does a better relation between the ruling party and Governor benefit the citizens of Bangkok? PT's strategy will be successful if it manages to draw in even a few voters.
Like dislike 14 people liked / 62 people disliked this comment