Little enthusiasm for Bangkok governor

Perhaps, it’s too sensitive for them to float the name of candidates early as Bangkokians tend to change their minds easily.
Chances for the current governor, Sukhumbhand Paribatra were slimming as his approval rate, according to opinion polls, was down to only 5.63 point out of 10. Some 65 percent of Bangkok eligible voters indicated the current governor did not perform over the past three-and-a-half years in the position. More than 45 percent said they have not decided yet to choose anybody.
Although Sukhumbhand announced his readiness to contest the next election, the Democrat Party is unlikely to have him as its candidate for the next governor of the capital.
A party source said the Democrats were looking at the Pheu Thai. If the ruling party chose a female candidate such as Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan to run in the race, the Democrats might need to find female candidate too, the source said.
Nualphan Lamsum, a daughter of party executive Pothipong Lamsum, could be such a Democrat candidate, according to the source.
However Pheu Thai Party did not choose Khunying Sudarat as its candidate. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra preferred instead her Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi. The minister held a prominent role in handling the major floods last year in the capital and won the hearts and minds of many Bangkokians.
Sudarat however has not made clear whether she is willing to run in the contest. She said the Bangkok governor’s job was interesting but she had made no clear decision to jump into the race. Sudarat had a bad experience in the Bangkok governor’s election in 2000 when she was defeated by the late Samak Sundaravej. She might not run in again if there was no guarantee for her victory this time.
Sudarat’s position in the ruling Pheu Thai Party is not so strong and the party has not allocated any constituency areas in Bangkok for her to take care of.
In charge of electoral areas in Bangkok are Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, Party Secretary Jarupong Ruangsuwan and Information Technology and Communication Minister Anudit Nakhontap.
One might argue that such a support base could pave the way for Khunying Sudarat and give her time to prepare for the election.
However Sudarat was not the only female candidate in the Pheu Thai Party. Former Thai Rat Thai Party executive member Paveena Hongsakul was another potential candidate. It was said she flew to see former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Dubai recently. A party source said, however, Paveena’s chance was also slim as she had not contributed to the Pheu Thai Party over recent years. She is well known to the public for her dedication to children and women, but that work was for her own interest, not for the Pheu Thai party.
Whatever Sudarat, Paveena or anyone else in the party thinks about the Bangkok governor’s election, the person who has final say in the party is Thaksin, the de facto big boss of the party.
Indeed, there remains no clear answer who will be the candidates for Pheu Thai and the Democrats.
 Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Jirayu Huangsap said his party would officially reveal its candidate for the Bangkok governor election in a month – and maybe the candidates of interest might not be from political parties. Some independent candidates could be willing to run.
Former police chief Sereepisuth Taemeeyaves was said to have expressed his interest in contesting the governor’s race.
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