Untitled Document

		Content with thinking up big projects


		In his first year as Bangkok governor, veteran politician Samak Sundaravej has adopted a leadership style that is the complete antithesis of his predecessor, Bhichit Rattakul. His reluctance to be in the media spotlight, perceived obsession with mega-construction projects and dislike of public participation in management of the capital have been major characteristics of his first term in City Hall. Contributors: Kulthida Samabuddhi, Ranjana Wangvipula, Ploenpote Atthakor, WASANT TECHAWONGTHAM It is a year since Samak Sundaravej made a grand entrance into City Hall carried by a popular vote unseen in the electoral history of Bangkok. However, almost as soon as he arrived he retreated into the bureaucratic background of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. News from City Hall is that he is content with thinking up policies and big projects and leaving city officials free to handle routine work with little intervention from himself or his deputies. Mr Samak prefers to do his job away from the public's prying eye. Few activities about him have made it into the news. He is known to cast aspersions on media attention and said he does not need to be any more famous than he already is. But his absence from public view has implications far beyond what he might have expected, for it has given rise to a perception that he has done little and has few achievements one year into his term . Mr Samak did not deny this fact. But he said his hands were tied by the fact that the city's annual budget was already decided when he came into office. As a result, he was unable to implement his policies and projects as freely as he had wished. Some critics said his mind is focused on construction projects instead of issues that would improve the quality of life of Bangkok residents. "Mr Samak is concerned only about material growth and infrastructure construction. He has little interest in human development or education or arts and culture," said Nopphan Phromsri, of the Human Settlement Foundation. She made her comments during a discussion at the Bangkok Post on Mr Samak's one-year in office. Ms Nopphan was referring to Mr Samak's plans to build an underground car park at Sanam Luang, "corncob" flats for the low-income sector, and a "ring-rail system" around the capital. But at the same time, he wanted to trim education subsidies for city schoolchildren and transform a plan to build a contemporary art centre into a car park-cum-art centre, she said. Ms Nopphan also mentioned the governor's lack of interest in environmental issues which the previous governor, Bhichit Rattakul, placed high on his agenda. She said many Bangkokians have complained about litter on the streets and excessive exhaust fumes. "There has been no initiative whatsoever to campaign against air pollution," said Somrudee Nicrowattanayingyong, director of the urbanisation and environment programme at the Thailand Environment Institute. "We've only heard about his proposal to build a waste disposal centre but we've heard nothing about a campaign to reduce waste." Chanin Roongsaeng, a city councillor for Bangkok Noi, defended Mr Samak and said he had helped save more than 200 million baht of taxpayers' money. Mr Chanin said money was earmarked for various campaigns, but Mr Samak dismissed these as unproductive and nothing more than public relations exercises for the governor. Mr Samak's rare public appearances have also been construed as symptomatic of a detached leadership style. When he urged Loy Krathong revellers to use krathongs made of foam _ he said they were "more environmentally friendly" than those made of natural materials _ he revealed himself to be out of touch with the people who elected him, said Khwansuang Atipho, an architecture lecturer and a civic activist. "It might be just a small matter in the scheme of things but it reflects a truth that a governor must possess a vision far and wide and reach out to people on the ground. He has to build an extensive communicative structure," Mr Khwansuang said. Perhaps the worst criticism levelled against Mr Samak is that he tends to be a "one-man show" and he feels no need to consult with anyone, an authoritarian bent that is out of tune with the times. It is a familiar criticism that has long dogged the veteran politician. The way he handled the Sanam Luang underground car park and the art centre schemes only confirms the belief that the only person he listens to is himself. "Cities have become more complex. There needs to be public participation, a mobilisation of forces in society to move ahead. In our case, we need more than just an acceptance of public participation; we must agitate for it to happen," Mr Khwansuang said. The art centre project had brought out much public enthusiasm before Mr Samak intervened. Such enthusiasm could have been capitalised on to set the spirit of public participation rolling. "It is the energy and the beauty of a city," the architect activist said. "Frankly speaking, Mr Samak made a bad mistake. " Supporters defend the governor's idea of public participation. "His way of holding a public hearing is to throw an idea or proposal into the public arena and see what reaction bounces back," said Apichart Halumjiak, vice-president of the city council. Mr Samak is more direct in his response. Why should he listen to the views of people who do not know better, he said. The people have exercised their voting right to choose representatives to work for them. They should let these elected people work unhindered. Citizens can have their say later if they don't like the result of work carried out on their behalf, he said. Such a view is unlikely to be met kindly by those who believe the individual's role in society does not end at the ballot box. Ms Somrudee of TEI said public participation is much more than a public hearing. It must be a comprehensive process, including public consultation at the very beginning of a planning process, and it must be a two-way communication. People were no longer content with representative democracy, she said. They are demanding a participatory democracy. As a public administrator, the governor must not ignorepeople who stand up to express their views. Mr Khwansuang, meanwhile, urged Mr Samak to set his sight beyond the mere tangibles of construction projects and reach out to groups of active citizens to help make Bangkok a city that is livelier and more liveable. As an elected representative of the people, Mr Samak has to demonstrate his resolve to make Bangkok a better place. Mr Khwansuang said "because what happens to Bangkok has ramifications far beyond its boundaries, the governor must also be a social innovator who is able to find ways tomotivate citizens to reach higher goals."


	Traffic / Transportation	Pollution
	Rubbish ' Toxic waste	City aesthetics
	Education	Public health / Sanitation
	Street vendors	Comparison
	What the critics say	Content with thinking up big projects
	Every thing's under control	Bangkokians express their opinions
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