Democrat candidate Suchatvee Suwansawat has been attempting to woo street vendors with his promise that, if he is elected the governor, the municipal police will be friendlier and will no longer harass them.
He said, during his visit to a market in Bang Bon district today (Wednesday), that pavement vendors will be more relaxed and consumers will have improved access to more hygienic street food at cheaper prices.
He also reminded people that he cannot realise his policies without the support of his team, as he urged voters to elect Democrat candidate councillors across the capital as well.
Highlighting his “can-do” approach, Move Forward gubernatorial candidate Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn said that the dual problem of uncollected garbage in Bang Kapi district and the clogged drainage system in the district can be solved by increasing garbage collection frequency.
Increase of welfare support for the elderly, the disabled and children, he said, can be achieved by allocating a portion of the funding for each district to welfare centres, to the tune of about five million each.
Better access to welfare funding will help improve the quality of life for many people in Bangkok, said Wiroj.
Regarding health services, he said he plans to discuss an increase in the number of community clinics with the National Health Security Office, so they can take care of more people.
Independent candidate, former deputy Bangkok governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul, said he would not resort to a confrontational approach to solving problems in Bangkok, but would rather approach the problems through dialogue, such as ways to increase the number of public parks.
He said he would approach private individuals and public organisations, who own huge plots of unused land, such as the State Railway of Thailand, to develop the land into public parks by offering them incentives.
He noted that there are several plots of land owned by the city administration which could be turned into public venues in the public interest, for political rallies and other activities.
Public parks are not only meant for jogging or exercising, he said, but for other recreational activities such as concerts as well.
Independent candidate, former transport minister Chadchart Sittipunt, visited Khlong Toei market and development centres for pre-school children today, during which he said the 20-baht food budget for each child is barely enough for proper meals.
He also said that the teachers’ pay at the centres has been frozen at 15,000 baht a month for a long time, despite the increase in the cost of living, discouraging many teachers from taking good care of the children at the centres. Chadchart said the city administration must invest more money in children, because they are the future of the country.