Thailand Bangkok: With a Thai massage parlor king, a feisty feminist, and a maverick ex-policeman who is best known for his three brawling sons among the 28 candidates, the race to become the newest Governor of Bangkok in Thailand is proving to become the best show ever.
Thailand's mega-city of Bangkok, with 3.8 million registered voters, will choose a new Governor on 29 August 2004 and the race is wide open. Where normally rather staid showdowns between a political heavyweight and a charismatic underdog, gubernatorial elections are being contested with extra flair this year.
The governorship of Thailand's capital is not a particularly powerful post, but it is a good 4-year post for a gadfly. Samak Sundaravej, the outgoing governor, which spend his time between advertising in a Thai cookery show on TV and his civic duties as Governor of Bangkok. His detractors say they find his political record less-than palatable.
Comparisons to the Governor elections in California USA, which put action man Arnold Schwarzenegger in the governor's mansion, are inevitable. One California-educated candidate, Chuwit Kamolvisit, know as the massage parlor king of Thailand and who until recently ran a half dozen massage parlors in Bangkok, has spelt this out the following as part of his election campaign:
"We don't really need good or smart people to run the city of Bangkok," he said. "Look at Arnold Schwarzenegger, he has a good team to support him. I also simply need a good team to help me out in my grey area," the massage king billionaire said this week. Mr. Chuwit's campaign colors allude to the red-light district where his investments flourished. "Some might find my dark side unacceptable," the shrugged.
Mr. Chuwit won national fame for his tirades last year against police corruption. He accused 1,000 officers of pocketing bribes or taking freebies. He claimed he had paid $1million protection money to vice squads, but that the police failed to provide any services when he fell foul of the law. He was accused of supplying underage prostitutes, and of leveling a block of prime property to get the low-rent tenants out. Though a pragmatist, Mr. Chuwit, who will turn 43 on polling day, is considered a wild card.
Pavena Hongsakul, who sports a pink jacket on her posters, is a former member of parliament who champions rights for women and children. She is the leading candidate and has the backing of the Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. But she spurns his Thai Rak Thai party, and is running as an independent. "Don't worry that I will be dominated," she promises. Apasara Hongsakul, her sister, is a former Miss Universe willing to campaign for votes.
Close on her heels is Apirak Kosayodhin, 43, of the opposition Democrat Party. His good looks set him apart from the crowded field and his CV follows a proved formula. He used to run the Orange mobile phone network.
Chalerm Yoobamrung, a former policeman whose youngest son was recently acquitted for killing a law officer, is unlikely to win. But in Thailand, you never know.
Leena Jungawat is tailed by transvestites and bawdy musicians. If victorious, this lawyer promises to abolish queues at city offices, sending civil servants to make house calls instead of hanging behind their office desks.
