Key PAD figure backs Sereepisuth for Bangkok governor

Praphan decried what he sees as the failure of a political party system that offers no hope to the people.

“This gubernatorial election will be a contest between candidates fielded by political parties, and the independent candidate,” Praphan wrote on his Facebook page yesterday. 

“The exercise of voting rights will thus be meaningful and important for Bangkokians,” he said, adding that he had numerous reasons for supporting Sereepisuth.

Praphan said Bangkok is a metropolis and needs a special form of administration that puts the people’s interests first, is truly committed to solving local problems, and does not serve the interest of any political party.

Party politics have completely failed the people, Praphan said. “If we allow Bangkok to be under the domination of politicians and political parties, particularly the two big parties – which struggle for power while thinking of Bangkok as merely their power base and using Bangkokians as hostages – people will lose benefits, as the governor will be under the orders of one of the political parties, not all of which are dependable,” he wrote.

Electing an independent candidate would ensure that Bangkokians have genuine political power, free from domination by any political party, he said.

Praphan wrote that people are fed up with party politics and none of the parties has the interest of the people at heart. Therefore, electing an independent candidate will teach the parties a lesson, he said.

Praphan added that he thinks independent candidates are more qualified, particularly Sereepisuth, whom he described as “highly loyal to the monarchy institution”. Praphan said he had resigned from the PAD in order to avoid confusion, as the gubernatorial election is about local politics, although he would always be a PAD supporter.