Sukhumbhand to run as governor again

Sukhumbhand to run as governor again

MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra has officially been nominated as the Democrat Party's candidate for the Bangkok governor election in February.

MR Sukhumbhand will be seeking his second term in office. The party's 19-member executive board voted to back MR Sukhumbhand in the Feb 17 election race after its meeting yesterday, Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said.

The meeting lasted about four hours. The executive board considered four nominees put forth by the party's selection committee headed by list MP Banyat Bantadtan.

MR Sukhumbhand's main competition for the nomination came from deputy party leader Korn Chatikavanij.

Mr Chavanond said MR Sukhumbhand achieved a lot during his past four years as Bangkok's governor, and the party expected more of the same.

Deputy party leader Apirak Kosayodhin will direct the campaign and Mr Korn will assist MR Sukhumbhand in his bid for re-election.

The Democrat board said the Department of Special Investigation's probe into the BMA's pre-emptive extension of the electric train concession for Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc would not hurt MR Sukhumbhand's re-election chances.

A party source said nine Democrat board members voted for MR Sukhumbhand, including deputy party leaders Juti Krairiksh, Siriwan Pratsajaksatru, Chamni Sakdiset and Thaworn Senneam as well as party registrar Anchalee Vanich.

Former party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban lobbied in support of him.

Six board members voted for Mr Korn, including the party's secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on, who earlier said he would resign if the party fielded MR Sukhumbhand in the election.

Mr Chalermchai had accused the governor of not participating in the party's activities.

Other nominees yesterday included former Bangkok deputy governor Prakorb Jirakitti and former deputy prime minister Korbsak Sabhavasu. They each received one vote.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and Mr Korn abstained in the vote.

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