Candidates launch Internet campaigns

Candidates in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's gubernatorial election, who face a vote on January 11, have begun taking their campaigns to the Internet generation and have launched their information and communication technology (ICT) policies.

MR Sukhumphan Boriphat, the Democrat Party candidate, has opened three online channels to disseminate his campaign material, including www.suksmile.com, www.youngbangkok.com and http://sukumpanb.hi5.com.

He is promising a "4e" policy, including e-service, e-documents, e-government and e-participation, to make the BMA easily accessible to Bangkok people and its services more efficient.

He is also wooing younger generations with his Internet-accessibility policy, undertaking not only to continue the provision of wireless Internet access (WiFi) throughout the city, but also to provide WiMax.

His campaign also covers science and technology issues including a project to transform waste into electric power and alternative energy issues such as biodiesel, biogas, wind power and solar cells.

He also promises to increase to more than 10,000 units the number of closed-circuit-TV security cameras throughout Bangkok.

Actor-turned-politician Yuranun "Sam" Pamornmontri, from the Pheu Thai Party, has also developed his own website, http://www.sam10.net, as an online channel to promote his campaign.

His ICT policies include the promotion of WiFi and WiMax availability throughout Bangkok, especially in community centres and temples, and his surveillance-related policies promise the installation of more closed-circuit TV systems in the capital.

ML Nattakorn Devakula has also created a Hi5 site to support his campaign for the Bangkok governorship at http://nattakorn08.hi5.com, and Kaewsan Atibodhi has set up a website - http://www.kaewsun.com - to convey his policies and as an online channel to keep in touch with voters.