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In the upcoming gubernatorial election for Bangkok on October 5, there are 16 candidates vying for the post. This time, it will be an exciting poll. Why? The answer is quite simple: to dislodge the incumbent, Apirak Kosayodhin, challengers must do better than him. It is a tall order. For certain candidates there is nothing to lose. It will be a lively poll.

Bangkok's main problems such as traffic jams, garbage disposal, air pollution and education remain the same as in the past. Almost all previous governors have promised to deliver on these challenges. But they have failed to do so. Bangkok is a huge metropolis with about 13 million people, making it one of the 10 largest cities in the world. The city needs a new approach with better management of financial and human resources.

Bangkokians are becoming more health-conscious. They want a better life and an ecologically friendly city in which they can stroll without choking on polluted air. More and more people expect the enlargement of green areas both in central and outer Bangkok. For the first time in the city's history, art and cultural programmes are becoming a pivotal part of life, aside from food and fashion. New museums have added an artistic and cultural vibrancy and made knowledge accessible to city residents.

As the incumbent, Apirak has lots of advantages. He belongs to the Democrat Party, which has strong support in all Bangkok areas. He has managed his job well enough to reduce traffic jams by improving road infrastructure and extending Skytrain routes. He has initiated bike lanes, which should be extended further. He should be credited for the creative plans to transform Bangkok, to enable it to compete with cities like London, Paris or Tokyo. He has also attracted more people to public transport as a way to save energy and resources.

Among the candidates, there are no real heavyweights to compete against him or match what he has achieved. One contender with some experience and vision who poses a serious challenge is the People Power Party-sponsored candidate, Prapat Chongsanguan. With the PPP's network in Bangkok and the suburbs, he should benefit from the party's support. His experience running the Mass Rapid Transit Authority could help him attract voters who use public transport.

Another serious contender is Dr Kriangsak Charoenwongsak, a former Democrat MP from the party. He has several campaigns aimed at winning over young voters, especially those who have not yet decided.

It is hard to take independent candidate Chuwit Kamolvisit seriously this time. His angry face on campaign posters will probably turn away potential voters rather than attract them. He should have learned from the same mistake in the previous gubernatorial election.

Personality Leena Janjanja has entered the race to enhance her curriculum vitae. Obviously, she will make headlines. She has already proposed a Bt88 smart card for eight individual trips on all transportation modes in Bangkok - Skytrain, metro, boat and bus.

At first, the race attracted younger candidates. ML Nattakorn Devakul tried to capitalise on his popularity on the tube. He declared his candidacy very early and came out with a limited promotion campaign. But his ambition did not fly after a Suan Dusit Poll showed that only 13.1 per cent of Bangkokians interviewed would vote for him. In contrast, 43.3 per cent would go for the incumbent Apirak.

Bangkok has become more sophisticated and more political over the past four years. City residents want to see Bangkok as the hub of Southeast Asia, a rival to Hong Kong or Singapore. Of course, political uncertainties have tarnished Bangkok's reputation in the past several months. Fortunately, though, the current civil disobedience has also attracted curious foreigners and tourists. For those who are familiar with the nature of Thai politics, there is nothing to fear. The winner of Bangkok's gubernatorial election will definitely be the person who can connect with the now more affluent and sophisticated Bangkokians.