Former Bangkok city councillors and Democrat Party MPs yesterday proposed Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra appoint them as advisers to help solve flood woes in the capital.
Sutthi Panyasakulwong, the Democrat Party's secretary-general and an ex-Democrat MP for Bangkok, urged MR Sukhumbhand to seek their advice as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) attempts to cope with city floods.
Mr Sutthi said the current city councillors appointed by the military junta are unable to perform their duties efficiently as they are not familiar with the capital's geography and local people.
The plan will be forwarded to Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva so he can propose it to the Bangkok governor, a fellow Democrat, as soon as possible.
The move came as BMA officials privately expressed concern over reports of a rift in MR Sukhumbhand's team after Waraporn Trakoolshewapanitt, BMA assistant secretary, recently resigned, followed by BMA secretary Sanya Chantharut, and also BMA spokesman Threedow Aphaiwongs. The city governor has come under attack for the BMA's tardy response to the flooding.
Mr Sutthi said he and other former MPs will meet MR Sukhumbhand to propose measures to solve the flood situation, as urgent action needs to be taken. "Several former city councillors suggested MR Sukhumbhand appoint them as his unpaid advisers to give him advice on solving flood problems," Mr Sutthi said.
When the former politicians meet people in need of aid, city officials do not offer full cooperation as they no longer hold key positions, he said. Appointing the former politicians as advisers would help remove obstacles.
Mr Sutthi added that many new directors of districts do not have knowledge of drainage systems in Bangkok so the ex-MPs who know about the infrastructure could help battle the flooding.
Kitpon Cherdchookitkul, a former MP for Prawet district, said 46 former Democrat MPs have been working in several Bangkok districts to help alleviate the suffering of those affected by recent floods.