• 
• 

The "Art Vote" campaign was established to raise awareness of culture and convince candidates to bring the project, which had been shelved when Samak Sundaravej was governor, back to life.

Eventually their dream came true: Bangkok got its first art museum under the administration of former governor Apirak Kosayodhin. Before Apirak finished his term in August, the centre opened its doors, despite the lack of a permanent director or team.

Though the Culture Ministry's Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC), led by Prof Apinand Poshyananda, and acting director Chatvichai Promadhattavedi are temporarily in charge of running the Bt500-million centre, its future remains uncertain. The new governor will have to create an official team, though the arts crowd is not campaigning for an "Art Vote" for the January 11 elections.

Since their dreams have come true, it seems as if they don't care how the museum is managed. Many expect MR Sukhumband Paribatra, the Democrat candidate, to follow up on Apirak's art project. As one of the Kingdom's key patrons of the arts, Sukhumband may be capable of so doing. After all, his family founded the Suan Pakkad palace-cum-museum and the now-defunct Bhirasri Museum.

However, we're not sure if he will take the centre down the right track if he wins. His family did not succeed with either of its museums. Though it's popular with tourists, Suan Pakkad seems quite dead as a museum, and sadly the Bhirasri Museum. the Kingdom's first centre for modern art, closed its doors in the early 1990s because some of his family didn't want to continue running it.

Sukhumband promises to "Bring back Bangkokians' smiles" by offering more community activities and building a network of governmental and non-governmental organisations to improve education, though he may defer cultural policy to follow Apirak's eco-friendly strategy instead.

Kaewsan Atibodhi, 57, secretary of the former Assets Examination Committee, which helped bring down former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, is running as an independent candidate. The former Bangkok senator promises a transparent administration that will create a "New Bangkok" that is convenient and has many jobs to offer. His team includes Paradej Payakvichien, former minister of Tourism and Sport, who will be in charge of tourism, art and culture; Kaewsan's twin Khwansuang will take care of urban planing while songs-for-lifer Yuengyong "Ad" Opakul will be his consultant. Hope Ad doesn't push for cockfighting as the national sport.

The policy page on Kaewsan's website, www.kaewsun.com, features colourful drawings, maps and architectural perspectives showing how the city will be developed, if he becomes the next governor. In the website, he says he is more concerned combining both old and new sides of Bangkok in a "Thai" way. He will develop public spaces like fresh markets, temples, parks or even space under the bridges into dynamic cultural centres where both old and young can share a good lifestyle.

Like Kaewsan, star-cum-politician Yuranan "Sam" Pamornmontri is promoting travel, music, art and culture. He hopes to boost cultural tourism by converting City Hall and the Giant Swing into museums.

The public spaces under expressways and bridges will be turned into relaxation zones, meeting places of music, dance and sport. Visit his website at www.sam10.net.

Compared to Sam, who is running under the Pheu Thai banner, activist and social critic Kaewsan seems more able to make cultural campaigns into actual projects.

As for the youngest candidate, Nattakorn Devakula, he sees Thai culture in a different way. Known to most as "Khun Pluem", he is popular with teenagers and voters who want to see young blood in politics.

While pitching his "Oxygen Road" in every district as his key strategy, he sees culture as a one-sided coin. He believes in removing food stalls from Bangkok footpaths and ending the sex business. He also wants to turn Internet cafés into educational centres.

Hang on, young man! It's not as easy as you think. Non-governmental organisations and cultural experts have been working on these issues for decades. Still, the 32-year-old continues his one-man show in shopping malls and open markets. Many wonder who is behind him and how he plans to turn his concepts into reality.

Bangkokians still have plenty of time after the festive season is over to decide who is "real" enough to make their dreams come true.