The knives are out after Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin's resignation: three candidates for the post plot together

The Democrat Party, reeling from the resignation of Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin over the fire-truck scandal, will have to fight a fierce city by-election if Chuwit Kamolvisit has his way.

Chuwit is proposing that hopeful candidates team up against the Democrat Party's replacement.

Team of three

Chuwit's idea is to invite two other former candidates, Prapat Chongsanguan and Dr Kriengsak Chareonwongsak, to form a team to compete in the next election.

"I will probably ask Prapat to head the team, with Kriengsak and I acting as deputies," Chuwit said.

Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin announced his resignation after the National Counter Corruption Commission said on Monday that he would be prosecuted for involvement in the Bt6.8-billion fire-truck scandal.

Prapat as leader

Prapat says he is giving serious consideration to Chuwit's idea.

"The three of us have the same goal and similar policies," he said. "We all want to see Bangkok developing in the right way."

Kriengsak is also reported to be interested.

Democrats decide

Meanwhile Bangkokians have decisions of their own to make for the new election. Apirak received 991,018 votes in last month's run-off - close to the combined total of 1,144,155 for Prapas, Chuwit and Kriengsak. Leena Jangjanja, another former candidate, vowed she would compete again.

Apirak's resignation will take effect on Wednesday, starting the countdown to fresh gubernatorial elections on January 11, 2009. Now, the Democrat Party has the task of finding a new candidate for the post. An anonymous party source said Democrat deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij, Bangkok MP MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra and deputy Bangkok Governor Prakob Jirakitti are being considered.

"Korn would be the most promising candidate," the source confided. "However, he wants to stay in national politics, with hopes of eventually becoming finance minister."

Korn yesterday said he would comply with the party's wish if it wanted him as its candidate.

People Power Party MP Suwat Wannasirikul said the party's Bangkok MPs would discuss their choice of candidate on Thursday evening. Suwat's vote goes to Prapat.