Pongsapat vows fire measures

Pheu Thai candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen yesterday pledged to increase the number of fire hydrants and set up community fire stations in the capital.

After campaigning in the Bangkok Yai area, Pongsapat said he found that there was only one volunteer fire station in front of Sangkhajai Temple - and its equipment was defective.

A small fire station should be built in front of each community and fire hydrants should be installed in all communities, he said. To serve neighbourhoods with narrow lanes, more small fire engines and motorised tricycles and motorbikes with fire-fighting equipment would be procured, and the time for firemen to reach the scene of a blaze in communities must be cut by at least half, he said.

The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority would be asked to install the fire hydrants, while the Metropolitan Electricity Authority would be tasked with inspecting the condition of the homes of low-income people in communities because they cannot afford to rewire them, he added.

Sukhumbhand offers a greener capital

Democrat candidate MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra promised yesterday to increase green areas in shopping zones and to conserve the historic Plu Market area.

More trees would be planted in open and public areas to add greenery to the Siam Square, Ratchaprasong and Ploenchit commercial districts. The green spots would be connected by paths with trees growing besides them. The areas might also get bicycle lanes.

The private sector in Silom and Sathorn would be asked to grow trees on their roofs.

The Plu Market area would be developed without demolishing old buildings. Water features such as pedestrian paths besides the canal, piers for temples and floating gardens would be added.

The main Talad Plu Market would also be renovated and promoted as a night market to draw tourists to observe the traditional lifestyles of the people, he added.

Suan Dusit accused of misleading voters

Independent candidate Sereepisuth Temeeyaves yesterday filed an election complaint accusing Suan Dusit Poll of attempting to influence voters by providing false information.

Praphan Khoonmee represented Sereepisuth in lodging the complaint with the Bangkok Election Committee's chairman, Thaweesak Tuchinda.

In the complaint, Praphan alleged that Suan Dusit Poll erroneously stated in its February 2 survey that 13.93 per cent of Bangkok voters were undecided while other polls found that the percentage of undecided voters was still 48-50 per cent.

Suan Dusit Poll also used questionnaires that were designed to project a popular rating for a certain governor candidate, he added.