On May Day (Labour Day) today, former transport minister Chadchart Sittipunt said that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) should provide services to help improve the lives of workers in Bangkok, although the official responsibility of taking care of employees rests with the Labour Ministry.

For instance, he said, more buses should be provided for the many workers who finish work late at night and have to wait for a long time for a bus and street lighting should be improved to ensure safety while travelling at night.

Chadchart, who is running for Bangkok governor as an independent candidate, said there are many workers in the capital and the city administration should provide them with health, travel and educational services for their children.

He also said there should be more pre-school centres for children of migrant workers who have to work and have no time to look after their children.

Today, Chadchart toured Lak Si and Don Muang districts in an attempt woo voters.

Meanwhile, Democrat candidate Suchatvee Suwansawat addressed flooding in Bang Khun Thian district and the mess of overhead cables in Bangkok which, he said, pose a health risk for pedestrians, particularly when it is raining.

He said Bang Khun Thian district is prone to flooding due to its location close to the sea and engineering knowhow may offer a solution to the problem.

He noted that Bangkok is not adequately prepared to cope with flooding. Citing the example of a housing estate in Bang Khun Thian, which he was due to visit today, he said it floods after only five minutes of heavy rain.

Another independent candidate, former deputy Bangkok governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul said, if he is elected, he will build more public parks, noting that the existing 30 parks are not sufficient to meet the demand for exercising and other recreational activities.

He jogged at Waree Phirom Park in Khlong Sam Wa today and met with people using the park for cycling, jogging and leisure walking.

Source: Thai Public Broadcasting Service