Eyeing city governor

A man who recently suggested that Bangkok voters "were not smart" to elect a consumer protection activist as senator plans to put himself on the electoral firing line at the upcoming Bangkok governor's election.

ML Nattakorn Devakula, a television personality, told Daily Xpress yesterday, he was thinking seriously about making his foray into the political arena and contesting the election.

His comment "Bangkok voters should have been smarter", about Rosana Tositrakul's victory in the Senate election, sparked uproar among her supporters.

'I didn't call them stupid'

Reflecting on his remark, he clarifies, "But I didn't called them stupid."

Rosana declined to comment about Nattakorn's bid to be the next governor.

Nattakorn is likely to face an uphill battle. His statement on Rosana is may return to haunt him when he hits the campaign trail. And he could certainly count out people from the entertainment industry, cab drivers, food vendors, beverage distributors and others who make their living from night life.

He plans to crack down on the night-life areas, especially places where prostitution takes place. He didn't say where he would start.

Nattakorn says prostitutes have ruined Bangkok's reputation.

Interestingly, former massage parlour tycoon-turned-politician, Chuwit Kamolvisit, has also

announced his candidacy for the governor's post.

Publicising his policies

Nattakorn also vowed to improve the manners of bus conductors in the capital "simply because it needs improvement".

The young son of former finance minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula has shown interest in entering politics. He tried the Democrat Party but was rejected, according to party sources.

Nattakorn also does TV commercials and has a reputation for having a holier-than-thou attitude.

Nattakorn, however, said if high-profile figures like Purachai Pium-sombun, Somkid Jatusripitak or Banthoon Lamsam decided to become a candidate, he would pull out.

Undecided yet, Nattakorn said he planned to publicise his policies first, then figure out how to get votes later. Nattakorn said he wanted to be in control and would not ask any political party to back him.