Candidates for Bangkok governorship canvassing votes

BANGKOK, January 27 (TNA) - Some of the candidates contesting for Bangkok governor’s election, to be held on March 3, early Sunday visited markets, launched campaigns and urged vendors as well as shoppers to cast votes for them. One of the most favourites candidates, Police General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, who is contesting under the ruling Pheu Thai Party banner talked to market vendors and shoppers at Bo Bae Market, one of the oldest markets in the capital, and told them that he would revive a tram service around Rattanakosin Island, aimed at servicing about 25 million tourists and solve traffic chronic problem, and to also build nine public areas around a canal in the area, if he is elected governor of the capital. When asked about his reaction following a recent survey by ABAC Poll saying that his popularity among students and office workers is still trailing other candidates, Pol. Gen. Pongsapat said he would try to visit every group of eligible voters before the election takes place. Former Bangkok governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra of the major opposition Democrat Party launched his campaign in Min Buri district on Bangkok outskirt and talked to vendors and shoppers. He told them that he would raise safety awareness in the capital, especially in slum areas, by installing over 27,000 closed-circuit televisions and lamps if he is re-elected. M.R. Sukhumbhand later paid a courtesy call on Muslim spiritual leader Chula Rajamontri. He is scheduled to canvass for votes from people living in nearby Bang Kapi area. Meanwhile, an independent candidate Kosit Suvinitjit, accompanied by his daughter, visited and talked to people exercising near Chatujak Park. He told them that his policy is to increase “green areas” in Bangkok by growing more trees and offering more gardens, aimed at lowering pollution in the capital, if he is given a chance to win the Bangkok governorship post. (TNA)