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[Sexpat]

This is another one of those "only in Thailand" articles:

"MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday revealed the list of qualified people who would serve the city administration if he is elected as Bangkok governor this Sunday. Sukhumbhand is contesting the election as the Democrat Party's representative.

"These qualified people are my team. If I win the election, they will fill most of posts of my deputies and advisers," he said, before reading 42 names on his list. They include his mother Dussadee Paribatra, a well-known educator and translator, former education minister Warakorn Samkoses, national artist Sumet Jumsai and former football star Kiatisak "Zico" Senamuang.

Thailand Environment Institute chairman Dr Sanit Aksornkaew and prominent young people like Taenkhun Jit-issara, a social campaigner and TV host, were also named."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/01/09...cs_30092780.php

[Hedda]

If Sukhumbhand wins, he will be the "the first Bangkok Governor of royal blood," according to the Nation, since both his father and grandfather were royal princes. There's a lavish article in the Nation this morning ( where else ?) by one of the Nation's editors, extolling the man as "the most intelligent and visionary leader" running for office. If you want to see how thick they can lay it on when it comes to the ruling class, read the link below.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/rea...ord=Sukhumbhand

A different perspective can be found in the Bangkok Post, which calls him "soft-spoken . . . not charismatic" but "well respected in the upper middle class and high society of Bangkok. He is, however, weak with the working-class base, both among the white and blue collars."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion...angkok-governor

With Junior Abhisit and Sukhumbhand Paribatra running Bangkok, 2009 is definitely starting to look like the year of blue bloods vs red shirts. It's a battle they've been fighting on and off since 1932.