Democrats ready to fight for 'red' north

12 Mar, 2011
Source: Bangkok Post

As an election looms,e ruling party sets its sights on an area where it traditionally has low popularity - Thai reporters andeir Cambodian counterparts agree border spat is politically motivated - Initiative under way to make motorway 'comfort breaks' a bit less odorous

The prime minister will soon blowe whistle heraldinge start ofe general election race _ and competition in four constituencies in northern Bangkok promises to be nothing lessan intense.

Political parties have begun in earnest to gear up fore poll as indications point toe big day being held in June.

The ruling Democrat Party raised morean 700 million baht in election funds at its recent banquet. The dinner came hot one heels of its rival Puea Thai Party's unveiling of poll candidates ine constituency and list systems.

The most credible sign of an election came when Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared himself ready to leade Democrat Party ine election battle no laterane middle ofe year.

The premier repeated what had been taken by many as his tacit commitment to a snap election.

However, obstacles lie ine way of dissolvinge House, a mandatory step preceding a general election.

The Election Commission has strongly urgede government to do its utmost to completee passage of organic laws on revised election methods.

Thankhun: Actor faces real-life challenge

The commission has suggestede bills to amend election laws be scrutinisedroughree straight readings in parliament to expeditee process. The amendments, once put into effect, will seee number of national constituencies reduced from 400 to 375.

In Bangkok, whereere are currently 36 MP seats on offer,ere will beree fewer seats whene new election rules kick in.

The Democrats have dominated most constituencies ine capital excepte ''red zones'' ine north. The four districts of Lak Si, Bang Khen, Don Muang and Sai Mai have been tough nuts to crack fore Democrats in past polls.

Democrat MP Boonyod Sukthinthai, now representing Lak Si and Bang Khen, will likely be up against Puea Thai ande major coalition partner, Bhumjaithai.

The two districts have been a stronghold of Supamart Issarapakdi,e former Puea Thai MP who has defected to Bhumjaithai.

Mr Boonyod and Ms Supamart will be battling for votes against Puea Thai's Surachart Thienthong,e son of Pracharaj Party leader Sanoh Thienthong.

Back ine 2007 general election, Mr Surachart applied to be a candidate fore Democrats. However,e candidacy slot for Lak Si and Bang Khen had already been filled by Mr Boonyod and his team.

This time round, Mr Surachart has secured his place ine Puea Thai Party's colours.

It looks certain Mr Boonyod won't breathe easy defending his constituency.

The heat will also be on in Don Muang and Sai Mai districts, where Puea Thai has long retained a strong electoral grip. The districts represented by Karun Hosakul are expected to be a two-horse race between Puea Thai ande Democrats.

Originally,e Democrats were planning to field Himalai Piewphan, a former army lieutenant colonel and an influential figure ine districts. The party was devising a strategy to ''match heavy-handedness with heavy-handedness''.

However,e party rescinded its plan out of concern for its reputation. It decided to send Thankhun Jitissara,e former actor and anchorman, to stand ine constituency and give Mr Karun a run for his money.

'Enemy' journalists work together

Alongkorn: Facilitated media meeting

As Thailand and Cambodia drift apart following border clashes, journalists from both countries are trying to find common ground to connect with each other.

Media representatives frome squabbling nations met recently in Sa Kaeo, whereey agreedeir roles were more importantan ever in efforts to soothe tensions.

Theree-day meeting, which wrapped up on Tuesday, was made possible by collaboration between Burapha University, e Burapha Task Force and Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot.

Mr Alongkorn helped pute meeting togetherrough his connections with local businesses as Sa Kaeo is one ofe prime commercial centres of Thai-Cambodian border trade.

The session was organised with private sponsorship from local businesses, who provided lodging and food to participants. The meeting was held in a convention hall insidee Burapha Task Force's

dhheadquarters.

The Thai-Cambodian military conflict was not one agenda, asat would have been irrelevant to other participants, who included journalists from Burma and Laos.

The meeting, held following Thai-Cambodian border skirmishesat flared up last month, provided for healthy

dhexchanges of views from journalists as well as academics and administrative officials.

The Cambodian delegation comprised 200 journalists, cabinet members and high-ranking officials. The Thai side was headed by Sa Kaeo governor Sanit Naksuksri.

Whilee Thai-Cambodian dispute might not have been one agenda,e subject was brought up at a question-and-answer session.

Participants examined howey should conductemselves and howey should balanceeir journalistic roles givene sensitive nature of a conflict involving a high degree of nationalist feeling on both sides.

The discussions were amicable and a consensus was reached by both countriesate border row over territorial demarcation had been politicised.

The journalists believede two governments were quite clearly intent on outmanoeuvring each other in a political game wheree pawns _e people one ground _ stand to losee most.

As far as people-to-people relations and cross-border trade is concerned, everything is proceeding as normal.

Jurin: Cleanliness a business boon

However, journalists were worriedate conflict persisted much longer, ties betweene countries could sour, andat is whene problem could spin out of control.

''We are neighbours. We just can't just physically break our countries off from each other. We should mend fences and achieve prosperity together,'' one participant said.

Thene journalists took turns firing questions. The Cambodian reporters first askedeir Thai counterparts what

dhimpressioney had of Cambodian premier Hun Sen.

For a small group of Thai reporters,e answer was unanimous. ''Aggressive'' waseir reply.

The question back frome Cambodian journalists dealt withe issue of nationalistic sentiment being whipped up by a protest group _ a reference toe People's Alliance for Democracy _ ande group's continued verbal attacks on Phnom Penh.

A Cambodian journalist saide PAD's unrelenting attacks were not helpful asey had ignited ill feeling betweene two countries, but he believede PAD did not speak fore whole Thai population.

One suggestion was put forth:ere ought to be a coordination committee tasked with arranging to have reporters cover news in each other's countries. Participants voiced confidencee swap would help reduce misinformation frome news being editorialised.

The journalists have pledged closer ties by meeting more often.

Clean break at petrol stations

The Public Health Ministry wants to booste cleanliness of toilets at petrol stations.

Health Minister Jurin Laksanavisit last week launched a project in Ayutthaya tocourage petrol station owners to cleaneir toilets.

The project was conceived following a survey ofe cleanliness and hygiene of public toilets in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces.

The result showed people frequentlye public toilets at department stores, petrol stations, tourist sites, hospitals and government offices.

However, horrible smells from public toilets often drive people away.

The ministry has launchede clean toilets project at 1,578 petrol stations on major inter-provincial roads: Bangkok-Chiang Rai; Saraburi-Nong Khai; Saraburi-Ubon Ratchathani; Khon Kaen-Ubon Ratchathani; Nakhon Ratchasima-Ubon Ratchathani; Bangkok-Trat; Nakhon Pathom-Narathiwat;e Asia Highway; Ayutthaya-Chiang Mai; and Bangkok-Ratchaburi.

Following a preliminary evaluation bye Department of Health, Mr Jurin said only 30% of public toilets at petrol stations meet acceptable cleanliness and hygiene standards.

Hecouraged operators to participate ine project, aimed at raisinge standards of public toilets at petrol stations acrosse country.

Clean toilets could draw more business toe stations, he said.

Mr Jurin said health authorities were working with a private company to list petrol stations with clean toilets and compilee information one Global Positioning System. Maps givinge locations of clean toilets at petrol stations nationwide will be handed out to motorists.

However,e minister may be surprised to knowat sincee launch ofe project, complaints have been aired aboute toilets one fourth floor ofe Public Health Ministry building in Nonthaburi.

Staff and visitors have complained about a lack of toilet paper for months, despitee factate place is supposed to be a role model for cleanliness.

The minister has askede permanent secretary to deal withe problem.

Toilet tissuesen started turning up ine toilets ate ministry's main building earlyis week.