Beset Apirak turns to the press

Apirak, who is seeking a second term as Bangkok governor, said the press conference did not mean he had reached his breaking point but that he simply wanted to set the record straight about his work over the past four years as head of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

The chairman of Bangkok's election committee, Ping Rungsamai, said yesterday that the panel would refer to the Election Commission a complaint filed by fellow candidate Chuwit Kamolvisit.

Ping said that due to a clerical delay his panel would submit the relevant documents to the EC on Monday instead of yesterday as planned earlier.

Chuwit accused Apirak of influencing the BMA's public notices advertising its achievements, which also included the incumbent governor's name. Apirak's name has since been removed from the notices in question.

Apirak, a front-runner in the race, could see a victory in tomorrow's election annulled if the EC finds him guilty of power abuse regarding the BMA's notices.

If that is the case, the EC would call a new election, and Apirak would be required to pay Bt158 million in compensation for the need for another election even though he is likely to be able to run again.

Other candidates have pointed out to Apirak's alleged involvement in the corruption scandal to buy fire engines and his failure to keep his promise about projects like the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme.

Chuwit, one of the leading candidates, has been particularly active in attacking Apirak over his record. Chuwit even lodged complaints with the EC and the National Counter Corruption Commission. He accused Apirak of involvement in the fire-engine scandal and of influencing the BMA's public notices to include Apirak's name shortly before the start of the election campaigning.

Apirak called his press conference at the headquarters of the opposition Democrat Party, of which he is a deputy leader. He had cancelled his earlier appointments in the morning.

"From their attack, it would seem as if I had just taken a stroll over the past four years. In fact, big projects failed to be completed by the time I promised because there was no cooperation from the government," Apirak said.

"I have made a lot of changes in Bangkok over the past four years, and if I get another opportunity, I will resume my projects that have not been completed," he said.

Meanwhile, quick-tempered candidate Chuwit cancelled his campaigning schedules for yesterday morning and went to a temple to make merit.

There he released a total of 633 animals including birds, eels and shellfish.

On Thursday he punched, kicked and stamped on newscaster Wisarn Dilokwanit of Channel 3, leaving Wisarn bruised on the floor after a heated televised interview.

Asked by reporters whether he thought his attack on Wisarn would affect his votes, Chuwit said: "The decision is with Bangkok voters whether they vote for me or not. I've admitted that what I did to Wisarn was not the right thing and no one should imitate me."