A survey shows that 41 percent of Bangkok residents want
the new governor to give priority to the solving of the traffic problem and the
development of the city transport system.
The survey was conducted by the NIDA Poll (National
Institute of Development Administration) among 1,500 Bangkok residents.
According to the survey, 16 percent of the respondents want the new governor to
develop the mass rapid transit system to cover all major areas of the city.
About 10 percent want the governor to tackle problems
concerning crime and public safety, while 7 percent want the governor to focus
on easing such environmental problems as garbage and air, water, and noise
pollution. About 5 percent are calling on the new governor to develop the local
economy in order to enhance Thailand’s competitiveness in preparation of the
ASEAN Community in 2015. Other issues include the improvement of Bangkok’s
image on political disturbances and social problems.
The next gubernatorial election will take place on
Sunday, 3 March 2013 in all 50 districts of the city. It was called following
the resignation of M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, one day before the completion of
his four-year term of Bangkok Governor. Unlike a general election, no advance
voting will be conducted in the Bangkok governor election. Out of the 5.67
million Bangkok residents, 4.3 million are eligible to vote.
A total of 25 candidates registered to contest the
Bangkok Governor election during the candidacy registration period between 21
and 25 January 2013. Many of them are running independently and do not
represent political parties.
The Bangkok Governor is empowered to establish policies,
supervise, and control all functions undertaken by officials and employees of
the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and enforce the city’s bylaws. This
authority does not include the handling of several public utilities, such as
electricity, waterworks, telephones, and expressways.
In Bangkok, there are two electric train systems for
commuters: the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS), or the skytrain, and the Mass
Rapid Transit (MRT), or the subway, which facilitate mass transfer with great
efficiency. Plans exist to extend these urban rail mass transit systems to
reduce traffic congestion.
Many people come from all parts of the country to Bangkok
in search of education and employment opportunities. The most populated city in
Thailand, Bangkok is growing continually. Since it is the center of the economy
and tourism, with a huge mass of people living and commuting, expressways and
mass transit systems have been expanding to solve traffic problems. The city
boasts a diverse transport system, connecting function areas and convention
centers, sufficient to accommodate tourists and conventioneers.
It is a challenging job for the new Bangkok Governor to
handle this “City of Angles,” with its many faces, problems, and charms.
(thailand.prd.go.th)