People's dodges question on talks with Chadchart in Bangkok governor election race

WITH Bangkok gubernatorial and city council election set to take place on June 28, People’s Party has kicked off a citywide advertising campaign under the slogan “Easy Bangkok” with this camp’s leader Nattapong Ruangpanyawut also refusing to clearly state whether incumbent Governor Chadchart Sittipunt had been approached to run for the party, Amarin TV and PPTVHD36 said today (May 3).

Key qualifications for People’s candidate for governor are standing up for the people, committed to ensure transparent budget spending and able to deal with political constraints, he said. This camp had swept all 33 MP seats in Bangkok in the February 8 general election.

Asked about Chadchart having announced his candidacy for a second term as Bangkok governor, and whether People’s had asked him to be their candidate, Nattapong avoided answering directly but stated that no deal had been struck while it is normal to hold behind-the-scenes discussions. MPs and Bangkok councillors regularly discuss the work both within and outside the party.

Regarding Bangkok’s revenue exceeding its expenditure, and whether this will affect Chadchart’s votes, Nattapong said this transparency is a positive trend with the people appreciating it and it is also normal for local government revenue to fluctuate, if there are accumulated funds it could be channelled for the next fiscal year.

Under People’s large-scale “Out of Home” campaign across the metropolis for the gubernatorial and city council election with over a hundred billboards put up in key areas from business districts to major routes questions are asked about “difficulties” in living in the capital.

Among the questions raised in these giant billboards are the following:

– Is it difficult to take your mother to the doctor in Bangkok?;

– Is it difficult to get home in the evening in Bangkok?;

– Is it difficult to save money in Bangkok?;

– Is it difficult to do business in Bangkok?;

– Is it difficult to walk alone at night in Bangkok?;

– Is it hard to breathe in Bangkok?;

– Is it hard to raise children in Bangkok?;

– Is it hard to stay healthy in Bangkok?

This campaign aims to encourage Bangkok residents to pause and reflect on the difficulties in their daily life which many are so used to that they don’t even question them. It concludes with the message, “A simpler Bangkok for an easier life for everyone,” inviting viewers to imagine a simpler Bangkok for its citizens if a Bangkok governor and a team of councillors from the People’s Party worked together.

People’s will hold an event to launch its Bangkok governor candidate on Tuesday (May 5) from 5 p.m. onwards at Samyan Mitrtown .

CAPTION:

Top and Front Page – People’s leader Nattapong Ruangpanyawut talking to reporters. Photos – Amarin TV

First insert – Incumbent Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. Photo – Naewna

Second insert – People’s giant campaign billboards. Photos – PPTVHD36