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Okay, let me rephrase it. ML Nattakorn "Pleum" Devakula decided to return to the race after doing a few calculations and realising that he stood a better chance this time. Last time round, he changed his mind because the race had a clear winner.

"It was obvious that Bangkok voters wanted him back," he said, referring to Apirak Kosayodhin and his win in October. To his supporters, Nattakorn's decision was understandable. To his critics, though, it was a "declaration of defeat": after all, even the likes of Dr Kriangsak Charoenwongsui, Chuwit Kamolvisit and Leena Jangjanja dared to brave the contest with their heads held high.

"It was not backing off, more a 'readjustment of strategy'," Nattakorn explained.

Still, one must admire this young man for his honesty. He never hid the fact that he had quit the race after surveys showed that only 13.1 per cent of respondents would vote for him, compared to 43.3 per cent who said they would go for Apirak.

Now, if his calculations are as good this time as they were the last time, then maybe his supporters can start visualising Nattakorn as the youngest Bangkok governor. The TV personality-turned-politician is clearly encouraged that he doesn't have to race against the likes of Apirak, Prapas Chongsanuang or Chuwit. Isn't this a great time for him to chase his dream?

"I am running this time for people who were disappointed that I didn't join the race last time. A vendor near Channel 3 said she was so disappointed not to be able to vote for me then and has promised that this time she would support me," he said.

Nattakorn is popular: He co-hosts a chat show, struts down catwalks, has endorsed a car and a toothpaste on TV, has cut an album, has starred in a film and even writes a newspaper column. He is everywhere, and if you were to Google Khun Pleum in Thai, you would find some 200,000 entries, including fan clubs.

Evidently he's pulling double duty as a publicist (for himself), and no one can do a better job. Here's one of his postings on a fan club's website: "Dear everyone, This is Khun Pleum. I saw this fan-club website and appreciate that someone had set it up for me. It looks great, and I hope that you will all continue to watch the programmes I make. Aside from Channel 3, I also have a daily economic analysis on Channel 5 at 11.30am and an interview show on Channel 9 at 3pm on Thursdays and Fridays. I do less Newsline now, because I need time to sleep. Also listen to FM88 at 7.30am, 12.30pm and 7.30pm, when I report on stocks in English."

With his publicity skills, Nattakorn should not find it difficult to get votes from his fans, but will they be enough? Not really. He knows he needs more, and he knows where to find them. For starters, he has started wooing the opponents of People's Alliance for Democracy.

"Bangkokians shouldn't accept political terrorists. Those who want to condemn their actions should vote: it'd be like a referendum against the PAD," he declared. Obviously he believes the results of this election will signify something much greater and larger.

In addition, there's that delicious irony of the PAD once again playing a role in the gubernatorial elections. Last time, they handed a comfortable victory to Apirak, and this time they may have riled so many people with their "political terrorism" that Nattakorn could win hands down. Plus, if he can't find enough PAD opponents, he could woo Democrat supporters who don't seem to find the party's candidate too interesting.

He has after all said: "I'm not with any political faction … I am independent and will always take the side of law."

Khun Pleum has plenty of selling points, and they are as fresh as the ideas you would find in an indie film. His youth and enthusiasm are his strengths.

Still, some PAD opponents are ambivalent about Nattakorn.

"What makes this inexperienced young man think that he can govern Bangkok? Does he have any managerial experience? Does he have any administrative experience?" asked on blogger on The Nation website.

Another blogger said: "What makes him think that just a few years as a radio and TV news anchor qualifies him to become the governor of a big city?"

Nattakorn responded by saying: "Okay, I may be inexperienced, but I'm the guy who has the energy."

Plus, he has promised that he would bring a change to politics. "I represent the future of Thailand, and voting for me is to vote for the future," is his slogan after all.

Even though his comment about Rosana Tositrakul becoming a Bangkok senator may haunt him, he insists that he is proud to have made it. He argues that he didn't mean to say that Bangkok voters were stupid: the "media misinterpreted me", he said. "I am proud of my comment, and believe it or not, if you do a poll now, Bangkokians will agree that the choice was bad."

Well, we hope he is right, though here are some facts: Rosana got 743,397 votes in the last senate elections, and assuming that half of these voters change their minds, the figure would still be high. I confess I am a mere observer of politics, and perhaps Nattakorn knows best and has already excluded the Rosana factor from his equation.

Apart from that, he promises to make the gubernatorial race even more exciting.

"You guys in the media will have more to write about." (Thanks very much. That's what Chuwit used to think too).

"I'm not running the race for those who are against me or those who don't like me. They won't vote for me anyway," he said. We hope he is right.

Still, I am glad he is running this time, if only to hear how he interprets the outcome of this election.