For many Democrats, Bangkok governor is proving a worry

It cannot be said that the party’s management is unaware of this onslaught against Sukhumbhand. The Democrat politicians who are campaigning against him held press conferences at the party’s headquarters. Because of the Democrats’ strong party culture since 1997, it is unlikely that those politicians made their moves without a green light from the party.

It may seem unusual for politicians to come to the public with an allegation of irregularity against a party colleague holding public office.

Sukhumbhand has been with the Democrat Party for a long time. He is a leading figure in the party, formerly serving as deputy foreign minister in the government of Chuan Leekpai from 1997 to 2000. The Democrat Party’s Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayothin stepped up in 2008 during his second term to take responsibility for a scandal. The Democrats agreed to field Sukhumbhand as their candidate in a subsequent gubernatorial election in January 2009, which he managed to win. 

After completing his first term, Sukhumbhand’s performance seemed to receive more complaints than applause. However, the Democrats still opted to field him as the party’s candidate contesting the previous governor’s election in March 2013. In their election campaigning, the Democrats guaranteed that the party would ensure the candidate would keep his campaign promises.

Pre-election surveys showed Sukhumbhand was neck and neck with his closest competitor, Pongsapat Pongcharoen of the Pheu Thai Party. The findings prompted veteran Democrat politician Suthep Thaugsuban, Sukhumbhand’s influential main supporter in the party, to focus the election campaigning on Bangkok voters’ fear of the so-called Thaksin regime, instead of attempting to sell Sukhumbhand and his qualities. 

The tactic worked, as Sukhumbhand managed to win the election with the highest number of votes – more than 1.25 million – although Pongsapat also earned more than 1 million votes.

Some critics said Sukhumbhand won the election because of fear, rather than his own capability. But such remarks did not seem to deter the re-elected Bangkok governor. 

During his election campaign, Sukhumbhand said that in his first term he could not fully initiate new projects as he had to follow up on incomplete work left undone after his predecessor stepped down. He expected his second term as the Bangkok governor to be “more fun” for him.

It seemed he did not expect to experience a number of controversies and scandals in his second term. He came under fire after it was found that many security cameras installed in the capital were just “dummies”. And after heavy flooding this year, he angered many Bangkok residents by commenting that those who did not want to experience floods in the low-lying capital should move to a mountainous area.

The Democrat Party is also unhappy with Sukhumbhand. It seems the party has been inefficient in making the Bangkok governor deliver his campaign promises and deal with the city’s problems in a more effective way. The Democrats, as a result, are worried they might lose their support among Bangkok voters. Tension has increased between the party and the governor after he repeatedly refused to discuss his work with its management. Just recently, there was a rumour that moves were under way to expel Sukhumbhand from the party. For observers, it was like an amputation to save a life.

This could be a move to restore the Democrat Party’s popularity among Bangkok residents. Also, certain Democrat groups may use this opportunity to regain influence within the party. Suthep, formerly the Democrat secretary-general, seems recently to have gained de facto power over the party leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva. And it is no secret that Suthep is a staunch supporter of Sukhumbhand.