Big dreams for Bangkok

Meanwhile, former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin offered to set up a 24-hour TV channel to keep residents posted on the goings-on in the capital and Prapas Jongsanguan proposed an environmentally friendly garbage disposal centre.

Early yesterday, in a meeting with Pavena Hongsakul, Chuwit said he wanted to learn more about the violence against women and children so he could formulate a social policy. Insisting that it was him and him alone who could effectively solve the problems of the millions residing in Bangkok, Chuwit said he needed people who were experienced and willing to work on all issues.

Pavena urged Chuwit to have law-enforcement officials work closely with the police to ensure the safety of women and children, to stop the publication of pornographic material and to spend the city budget on helping all groups, especially the elderly. However, she told Chuwit that she could not really help out because she was banned from politics, but that he was welcome to ask her for any information he needed.

Apart from women and children, Chuwit said he also wanted to come up with policies on sports and would discuss the issue at length with former national football team manager and politician Tawatchai Sajjakul.

Meanwhile, Apirak's 24-hour "city channel" aired via cable TV would inform city-dwellers and visitors about all the happenings in the capital, including fires, floods, weather forecast and other useful bits and pieces. He has also vowed to open a platform for people to express their opinions on issues concerning the city.

Prapas, who visited the On Nut garbage management facility yesterday, proposed to replace the current method of burying garbage with the more environmentally friendly incinerator - both to effectively dispose the garbage and to reduce pollution. He said he would also equip the facility with wastewater management and develop the employees' working conditions. He suggested that private hospitals have their own incinerators to dispose toxic trash, adding that he would also campaign for people to separate their garbage before disposal.

Meanwhile, Election Commission chairman, Apichart Sukhagganond, yesterday threatened to issue red or yellow cards if he saw any dirty tactics or mudslinging.

Apichart said the candidates could not slander or attack others for mismanagement or failure, because they would be committing electoral offences that would merit disqualification and red or yellow cards.

"They can be disqualified even if they win the most number of votes," he said.

Apichart was speaking after chairing a training session for 6,000 scouts, who will help election officials in the October 5 gubernatorial elections.

In related news, deputy city clerk Ratthapol Meethanathavorn announced the city would keep invalid ballots at under 3 per cent. The last election had 59,765 invalid ballots or 2.4 per cent of the voters who had shown up, which accounted for 62.50 per cent of the 4.2 million eligible voters. He also warned that tearing a ballot was against the law.