Her candidacy is likely to produce a clash of the heavyweights with powerful Pian Keesin for Patong and all that's associated with the west coast tourist hub of Phuket.
Khun Pian is on record as saying: ''The sky belongs to the birds, but the mayorship of Patong belongs to Pian.''
Widely experienced, Chalermlak Kebsub, 50, has been out of politics for years but she believes the time is right for change.
''I believe everybody wants change,'' she told Phuketwan, where change is already a priority.
''I have a list of five issues that will form the key to my campaign,'' said Khun Chalermlak, who plans to nominate for the mayor's job at 8.30am tomorrow.
Khun Chalermlak says her five key issues are, with Phuketwan providing the explanations :
.. Public areas being used for private interests - the hills are alive with the sounds of construction.
.. Environmental destruction - Patong water is considered too risky for a triathlon.
.. Floods - Patong remains subject to floods because of construction over canals and on hillsides.
.. Traffic congestion - Parking and no parking zones have been taken over by tuk-tuks and taxis.
.. Mafia - in the Thai definition, groups of officials who feed off corrupt payments to break the law.
''Jump in,'' is Khun Chalermlak's message. ''If you want change, vote for me. I don't believe anyone wants these problems to continue.
''Patong deserves a brighter future.''
Khun Chalermlak was the leader of Patong Council and a national MP before Patong's mayoral system came into being.
Her main opponent is expected to be Pian Keesin, who has said he will run again for the job, but possibly at the age of 70 for the last time.
Although he has previously been challenged, few alternative candidates have been as well-credentialled as Khun Chalermlak.
Khun Pian, a force in local politics since 1994, won the poll in early September 2012 with 4352 votes but the election was later declared invalid.
Rival candidate Kittisan Kuru and his Patong Kawna (Patong Development) group attracted 3154 votes.
The new election is scheduled for April 26.
Obviously, she hasn't met ED yet. According to him, there is no such thing as mafia here.
Posted by Charles on March 19, 2014 13:03
Editor Comment:
Oh no, Charles. Not again, please. Note the words from the article, please: ''Mafia - in the Thai definition, groups of officials who feed off corrupt payments to break the law.''
Please try to read the articles BEFORE you comment.