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Published on November 28, 2007

The Nation's Budsarakham Sinlapalavan talks to the two candidates about their campaigns and respective (God) fathers.

Chuenchob Kong-udom, 31

What does the term "Godfather" mean to you?

I think the root originates from the United States. It has a rather negative meaning. It is associated with drugs, prostitution, or gangsters that commit robberies or murders.

But in Thailand, most people believe godfathers are people who have magical powers - the ones who can predict winning lottery numbers. I think my father is like a godfather in the Thai definition. He has tried to predict winning lottery numbers but his predictions are not that accurate yet.

Is your father a "Godfather"

The Godfather in the film is bad but my dad usually helps people and society. Local people know my father's personality. The definition of "Godfather" from the film cannot apply to my father.

How will being the son of a "godfather" affect your chance in the upcoming election?

About 10 years ago, people looked at my father in a negative light. They thought he was a robber and an unreasonable man.

However, I think more than 90 percent of people now know what my father is like. Actually, my dad is willing to help people and serve society without expecting anything in return. So, I think being a son of a godfather won't affect my chances in the election.

Why are you running for Parliament?

I want to serve the country. I have seen my father doing a lot for society and the country - and I have noticed he is happy from doing so. I would like to be happy like him.

So, I am planning to do what he has done. It's true that we can work for society without entering politics.

But I think that if I have an opportunity to represent people, I should do it. I have volunteered to work for people and to tackle their problems.

My close friends say I am stupid to run in the upcoming election given that the political situation remains so volatile.

Even if I am elected, I may not be able to stay in the position for long.

My close friends say I have chosen a self-destructive path. But I think they're wrong. If all Thais think like them, the country's problems will persist.

What are your strong points?

I was born and grew up in Bangkok. So, I know about the problems facing the people. That's why I am confident that I can tackle these problems.

Also, I am a new-generation man. I am confident that Bangkok voters will give me opportunities because I have honesty and abilities.

What about the policy to crack down on influential people?

I will focus on three problems: the spread of drugs, social problems and environmental problems, I will enhance the quality of life based on the theory of a sufficiency economy.

I will promote public participation.

I will solve social problems.

I will set up nurseries in communities.

With an improving quality of life, the communities will strengthen.

I will also promote the sufficiency economy philosophy so that people have knowledge, can produce crops for their own consumption and can take care of themselves.

They will become self-reliant.

I also plan to create jobs in their communities.

Then, they will have better quality of life and drug problems will be reduced.

How do you compare 'godfathers' to politicians?

I think corrupt and insincere politicians are similar to godfathers.

However, for good politicians, they are far different from godfathers.

While godfathers are obsessed with their own interests, politicians give priority to public interests.

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Boonsit Thammarotepinij, 28

What does the term "Godfather" mean to you?

People generally have a negative view about godfathers. But for me, people who bully others should be dubbed hooligans, not godfathers.

Only people who don't know my father think my father bullies other people. They think my father is a bad godfather. However, people who really know my father are aware that my father is a good guy. He loves to do charitable work. He is well loved by Pratunam people. I don't want people to call my father a godfather. I prefer my father to be called a "man of stature". Throughout his life, my father has always helped people. My father owns Pratunam market but he has never collected any rent.

Is your father a "Godfather"?

I am angry whenever people call my father a godfather. My father has never bullied anyone. He has always extended help. He gives scholarships to children. My father gives help to so many people including those I had never known before. Sometimes, my mother complains a bit because she feels my father does too much to help others. Anyway, my father continues to give help.

How will being the son of a "godfather" affect your chance in the upcoming election?

I feel I have two advantages. First, my father is widely known. Second, my wife "Nook Sutthida" is a former singer. Both have made the public know me. Anyway, I have to use my abilities to win public acceptance.

What are your strong points?

I have lived in Pratunam for a long time. My father used to take me to the market. I know about local problems and I am confident that I will be able to tackle these problems.

What about the policy to crack down on influential people?

I think the crackdown on influential people will take time because it is related to drug problems, which are of great magnitude. However, I feel that if I constantly reach out to local people and understand their problems, I should be able to stop the spread of drugs.

So, the first thing I will do about cracking down on influential people is to tackle the drug problem.

I have thought about improving child development so as to improve the overall quality of life in the community.

I will open nurseries, not just in the Pratunam communities but in all communities across Bangkok.

My wife told Ratchata Pisitbannakorn (deputy secretary-general of Matchima Party) that even if I am not elected, we hope to find the budget to implement the nursery project because we really want to do this for society.

Have you consulted your father about your political career?

At first, I did not tell my father about my plans. I told my family that I was going to run in the upcoming election only on the day I was going to submit my application.

My father showed his opposition because he did not want me to get involved in politics.

However, after seeing my determination, he gave me the green light. On campaigning, I have taken care of it myself because my father has never worked in the political field before. We are both new.

Anyway, my father will recommend which areas I should visit.

How do you compare "godfathers" and politicians?

My father is a godfather who loves to do charitable work. Sometimes, he gives money to poor people.

He also chairs merit-making ceremonies. Also, he donates things to poor people.

Although he helps, he does not tackle the problems at its roots.

Politicians help people by making the right policies. The policies tackle root causes of the problems.

If we combine the qualities of a godfather and a politician together, we can tackle peoples' problems more swiftly.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

The Nation