Governor hopefuls vow to do more

Kaewsan Atibodhi (left) and Yuranan Pamornmontri (right) aall smiles as they meet at a forum yesterday. Both are running for the post of Bangkok governor.

"I plan to work with the Metropolitan Police Bureau, communities and nongovernment organisations in identifying children with family problems so that proper help can be delivered," independent candidate Kaewsan Atibodhi said.

He was speaking at a forum held by a network of 19 organisations, which work to promote the rights of children and disabled persons. 

Kaewsan said if elected as Bangkok governor, he would set up a foundation to take care of this matter.

He also planned to encourage children's interest in arts, sports and music to deter them from antisocial temptations.

"The society's survival will depend on how good our children are," he said.

This gubernatorial candidate also criticised former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin for spending between Bt500million and Bt1billion a year on publicrelations activities.

"Such budget would be better spent on children's education," Kaewsan said.

Yuranan Pamornmontri from the Pheu Thai Party said he hoped to encourage creativity among children. "We should not force too much academic content on children," he pointed out.

He said  department stores should be offered tax incentives if they allocated space for children's learning and recreation.

 "If I am elected, I will ensure that Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) schools comprehensively cover all children," Yuranan said.

ML Nattakorn Devakula, an independent candidate, said the city's administration under his leadership would launch a "One School, One Scholarship" project.

"This project would apply to schools under BMA and its Grade12 graduates only," he said.

Nattakorn also planned to ask for free land plots from donors interested in contributing to children's education. "We would build more schools on those land plots," he said.

Nattakorn also addressed the problems of children with short concentration and Down's syndrome, by suggesting  these children get education in special classrooms under the supervision of experts.

"On weekends, we should conduct English classes for interested children too," Nattakorn added.

Leena Jangjunja, another independent candidate, believed doubling teachers' salaries would boost their morale to a point their services would improve. "We must put an end to rote learning," she said.

She also planned to help disabled children make money by allowing them to sell their handicrafts at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. "I will urgently tackle the problem of sexual abuse against children too," Leena said.