Apirak Kosayothin
Encyclopedia
Apirak Kosayodhin is a former Thai
business executive and former governor of Bangkok
. In the gubernatorial elections on August 29, 2004 he won 40% of the votes. He was re-elected on October 6, 2008, in the gubernatorial elections
with 45% of the vote but decided to resign a month later after being indicted on charges of corruption.
Born in Nonthaburi
in a Thai Chinese
family, he studied at Triam Udom Suksa School
and Chiang Mai University
, where he received a Bachelor Degree in Food Science
and Technology in 1983. Beginning his professional career at the Thai branch of Pizza Hut
, he worked at several companies as manager and director. 2002–2004 he was among other posts CEO of TA Orange
(currently known as True Move) and member of the Board of Directors of the Stock Exchange of Thailand
.
nominated him as their candidate for the Bangkok governor election, which he won gaining 40% of all votes. Paveena Hongsakul, an independent candidate with the unofficial support of the ruling Thai Rak Thai
party, came in second-place with 16% of the vote.
Critics have noted the lack of tangible impact Apirak had in his role as city governor. Some policies, for instance "smart" traffic sign
s and bus stops flopped and his Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project has yet to come into service. However, he was much lauded for being able to push the extension of BTS Skytrain routes, which are currently under-construction. Another notable project Apirak has been successful in implementing is the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre at Pathumwan intersection which opened in 2008.
After two years in office, poll respondents gave him high marks for diligence and dedication to work. But he received the lowest marks for seeing projects through to completion. His traffic and transport initiatives also received flunking marks. Overall, 57% of Bangkokians felt he had met expectations.
Apirak's so-called smart taxi stops were met with derision. The 150 stops were in operation since October 2005 looked like bus stops. When people are waiting in one a red light becomes visible to nearby cabs. If no taxis are passing would-be passengers can press a button and a call centre directs cabs to the stand. A BMA study found that the stops had a success rate of a mere 38.6%. Although 189,549 smart taxis had been hailed, just 73,168 of them reported picking up passengers, the study found. Numerous stops went totally unused. However, Apirak's smart traffic signs have been a mild success giving motorists more information with regards to the traffic conditions ahead and has been mild relief from the stress of traffic.
The military junta's Assets Examination Committee (AEC) did not charge Apirak over the controversial purchase of fire-fighting equipment for the city. Sithichok Rawdkrutha, an AEC member, lodged a complaint with AEC Chairman Nam Yimyaem over the decision and noted that he suspected Apirak of dereliction of duty or malfeasance for giving the nod to the purchase, for which he allegedly received 500 million baht in kickbacks. Apirak has protested his innocence by pointing to the fact that the deal was originally signed by the former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej
. Apirak claims to have been forced by the ex-governor's agreement to continue the project.
Leader of the Democrat party was quoted saying: "Apirak's decision set a standard many people want to see in Thai politics. It's praiseworthy and he deserves moral support from society," His resignation immediately set out a by-election for the next governor. Currently he is a close adviser to PM Abhisit Vejjajiva
.
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
business executive and former governor of Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
. In the gubernatorial elections on August 29, 2004 he won 40% of the votes. He was re-elected on October 6, 2008, in the gubernatorial elections
Bangkok gubernatorial election, 2008
The eighth gubernatorial election for the city of Bangkok, Thailand, was held on 5 October 2008. The election was won by the incumbent Governor Apirak Kosayothin, placing him in his second consecutive four-year term in office, winning 45.93 percent of the vote...
with 45% of the vote but decided to resign a month later after being indicted on charges of corruption.
Born in Nonthaburi
Nonthaburi Province
Nonthaburi is one of the central provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, Bangkok and Nakhon Pathom....
in a Thai Chinese
Thai Chinese
The Thai Chinese are an overseas Chinese community who live in Thailand. Thailand is home to the largest, oldest, most prominent, and most integrated overseas Chinese community in the world with a population of approximately 9.5 million people...
family, he studied at Triam Udom Suksa School
Triam Udom Suksa School
Triam Udom Suksa School is a state school located in downtown Bangkok, Thailand. It admits upper-secondary students and has the largest yearly enrolment in the country...
and Chiang Mai University
Chiang Mai University
Chiang Mai University is a public research university in northern Thailand founded in 1964 with a strong emphasis on engineering, science, and agriculture. Its instructional mission includes undergraduate, graduate, professional and continuing education offered through resident instruction...
, where he received a Bachelor Degree in Food Science
Food science
Food science is a study concerned with all technical aspects of foods, beginning with harvesting or slaughtering, and ending with its cooking and consumption, an ideology commonly referred to as "from field to fork"...
and Technology in 1983. Beginning his professional career at the Thai branch of Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is an American restaurant chain and international franchise that offers different styles of pizza along with side dishes including pasta, buffalo wings, breadsticks, and garlic bread....
, he worked at several companies as manager and director. 2002–2004 he was among other posts CEO of TA Orange
Orange SA
Orange is the brand used by France Télécom for its mobile network operator and Internet service provider subsidiaries. It is the fifth largest telecom operator in the world, with 210 million customers . The brand was created in 1994 for Hutchison Telecom's UK mobile phone network, which was...
(currently known as True Move) and member of the Board of Directors of the Stock Exchange of Thailand
Stock Exchange of Thailand
The Stock Exchange of Thailand is the national stock exchange of Thailand. It is located in Bangkok. As of 31 December 2007, the Stock Exchange of Thailand had 541 listed companies with a combined market capitalization of $280 billion. The indices of the stock exchange are SET Index, SET50 Index...
.
Governor of Bangkok
In 2004 the Democratic PartyDemocrat Party (Thailand)
The Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative...
nominated him as their candidate for the Bangkok governor election, which he won gaining 40% of all votes. Paveena Hongsakul, an independent candidate with the unofficial support of the ruling Thai Rak Thai
Thai Rak Thai
The Thai Rak Thai Party was a Thai political party that was officially banned on May 30, 2007, by the Constitutional Court of Thailand due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister and its founder Thaksin...
party, came in second-place with 16% of the vote.
Critics have noted the lack of tangible impact Apirak had in his role as city governor. Some policies, for instance "smart" traffic sign
Traffic sign
Traffic signs or road signs are signs erected at the side of roads to provide information to road users. With traffic volumes increasing over the last eight decades, many countries have adopted pictorial signs or otherwise simplified and standardized their signs to facilitate international travel...
s and bus stops flopped and his Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project has yet to come into service. However, he was much lauded for being able to push the extension of BTS Skytrain routes, which are currently under-construction. Another notable project Apirak has been successful in implementing is the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre at Pathumwan intersection which opened in 2008.
After two years in office, poll respondents gave him high marks for diligence and dedication to work. But he received the lowest marks for seeing projects through to completion. His traffic and transport initiatives also received flunking marks. Overall, 57% of Bangkokians felt he had met expectations.
Apirak's so-called smart taxi stops were met with derision. The 150 stops were in operation since October 2005 looked like bus stops. When people are waiting in one a red light becomes visible to nearby cabs. If no taxis are passing would-be passengers can press a button and a call centre directs cabs to the stand. A BMA study found that the stops had a success rate of a mere 38.6%. Although 189,549 smart taxis had been hailed, just 73,168 of them reported picking up passengers, the study found. Numerous stops went totally unused. However, Apirak's smart traffic signs have been a mild success giving motorists more information with regards to the traffic conditions ahead and has been mild relief from the stress of traffic.
The military junta's Assets Examination Committee (AEC) did not charge Apirak over the controversial purchase of fire-fighting equipment for the city. Sithichok Rawdkrutha, an AEC member, lodged a complaint with AEC Chairman Nam Yimyaem over the decision and noted that he suspected Apirak of dereliction of duty or malfeasance for giving the nod to the purchase, for which he allegedly received 500 million baht in kickbacks. Apirak has protested his innocence by pointing to the fact that the deal was originally signed by the former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej
Samak Sundaravej
Samak Sundaravej was a Thai Chinese politician who briefly served as the Prime Minister of Thailand and Minister of Defense in 2008, as well as the leader of the People's Power Party in 2008.-Early life and family:...
. Apirak claims to have been forced by the ex-governor's agreement to continue the project.
Re-election
Despite the hanging allegations Apirak won re-election on the October 5, 2008 with 45% of the vote or 991,018 of the votes cast.- Further information: Bangkok gubernatorial election, 2008Bangkok gubernatorial election, 2008The eighth gubernatorial election for the city of Bangkok, Thailand, was held on 5 October 2008. The election was won by the incumbent Governor Apirak Kosayothin, placing him in his second consecutive four-year term in office, winning 45.93 percent of the vote...
Resignation
On the November 11, 2008 the National Counter Corruption Commission announced that Apirak was indicted together with other officials including former Governor and Prime Minister Samak. On the 13 Apirak announced in front of television cameras his resignation saying: "Like the Democrat Party, I support a move that will perpetuate politics-for-people," he continued "I have complete confidence in my innocence. I am ready to see my case go through the judicial system. I am confident that I will receive justice in the end,". Abhisit VejjajivaAbhisit Vejjajiva
Abhisit Vejjajiva , , ; born Mark Abhisit Vejjajiva; 3 August 1964 in Newcastle upon Tyne) is a Thai politician who was the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand from 2008 to 2011 and is the current leader of the Democrat Party...
Leader of the Democrat party was quoted saying: "Apirak's decision set a standard many people want to see in Thai politics. It's praiseworthy and he deserves moral support from society," His resignation immediately set out a by-election for the next governor. Currently he is a close adviser to PM Abhisit Vejjajiva
Abhisit Vejjajiva
Abhisit Vejjajiva , , ; born Mark Abhisit Vejjajiva; 3 August 1964 in Newcastle upon Tyne) is a Thai politician who was the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand from 2008 to 2011 and is the current leader of the Democrat Party...
.