Sereepisuth wants to make 'an even bigger name'

The fearless former crime buster, who earned a reputation as "the Hero of Nakae" and as an honest police officer, Sereepisuth has chosen the slogans "Change Bangkok, Change Governor" and "If You Vote for Me, You Get the Entire Royal Thai Police" -- to take on large party candidates like Democrat MR Sukhumbhand Paripatra and whoever the ruling Pheu Thai Party selects.

Sereepisuth is highly confident: as an independent candidate he feels he has the advantage over those under political banners because people are fed up with political polarisation and would likely opt for a neutral candidate.

"When people quarrel, they cannot work together," he said. "When there was a flood, they fought. Now they are fighting because of a water-drainage test. They also fight over budgets. Working together as brothers, having no colour, no class, no institution is the best.’’

"If party candidates run against me as individuals without their party banners, I still won’t lose. With my life and experience in managing a police force of 200,000 caring for 60 million people, if I had run, I would also have scored more votes than other candidates from the last election such ML Pluem (Nattakorn Devakul) and Chuwit (Kamolvisit)," Sereepisuth said.

"If I win the election, Bangkok will get the entire police because I have long shared a close connection with National Police Chief Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew. I will work closely with him to provide public safety, solve traffic problems, and illegal drugs,’’ he said.

Before deciding to join the race, Sereepisuth had a survey conducted to see what Bangkok people wanted from their governor. He said number one on the list was safety, followed by drug suppression and solving traffic congestion.

"I was right. Bangkok people are not dumb and say the number one problem is flooding. [If the top three problems are according to the survey], who else is as qualified as me in terms of law enforcement? Nobody. I arrested many influential figures and mafias while others dared not as they feared they would be counter-sued,’’ he said.
Sereepisuth as a policeman who rose to the top post with a work record of arresting anyone who committed wrong regardless of their power, influence or position -- from members of Parliament, judges, a deputy provincial governor, the untouchables and the mafias.

His fights against the communists were daring and earned him the Medal of Bravery and the Hero of Nakae award (named after the district in Nakhon Phanom where he worked). Sereepisuth other bold moves included a raid on a floating gambling den on the Mekong river, the Buri Ram vote buying case, and arresting Chon Buri influential figure Somchai Khunplume (who’s still at large over a corruption offence). During his term as crime suppression chief, his office was planted with bombs, the result no doubt of his straightforward working style.

"My working style is unorthodox, different from others because I am not afraid of any problem. I have no fear of influence, most importantly no fear of death. I can do anything. Bangkok people would benefit the most from me if they voted for me,’’ he said.

vowed to make Bangkok a nicer capital to live in because the law would be enforced, justice would be done and all illegal activities corrected.

"Garbage on the roads, footpaths taken over by street hawkers. Last year’s flood problems were exacerbated because people encroached on waterways and canals. This is the duty of district chiefs,’’ he said.

However he said he had sympathy for the poor and would solve the city’s difficulties by helping to solve their problems. Street hawkers would be relocated to a market. For those who encroached upon waterways, new houses would be constructed for them to rent at cheap rates. All encroached-on public areas would be turned into green areas to be the lungs of the capital.

Schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration would be opened to the public after school hours so they could use the fields to exercise and play any sports. Bike lanes would be provided. Kids who race on public roads would be provided with their own tracks. All streets would be equipped with electricity, water and CCTV cameras.

Why does a retired police officer like Sereepisuth want to jump into this race after all? "I am physically and intellectually ready and competent to work for the country. I want to die a legend and make an even bigger name for myself before I die,’’ he said.