Surasak hits the campaign trail

PATONG: Mayor Surasak Maneesri on Monday got the jump on Pian Keesin, his main rival for the coming Patong mayoral election, by launching his campaign and introducing his team of preferred councilors. Standing in front of about 200 Patong residents gathered outside the old municipal offices on Phisit Gorani Rd, K. Surasak introduced all 23 members of his team. Together they are campaigning under the slogan “Patong Gao-na” (Patong Progress). K. Surasak explained to the crowd that he and his team stood for the principles: “Honesty, Morality, Progress.” “All our members are Patong people. We are 100% confident that we will win the election,” K. Surasak later told the Gazette. “Our team truly wants to see Patong improve. I believe that we have enough competence and we are ready to work for Patong. “We have a very clear policy and each member of our team will work toward the same goal,” he added. Both K. Surasak and K. Pian began campaigning over the past week with posters announcing each candidate’s slogan in Thai being plastered around Patong. Former mayor Pian has chosen to campaign under the banner “Palang Patong” (Patong Power). K. Surasak is expected to unveil his policy platform tomorrow. Although no date has been set for the election, the existing Patong Municipal Council will dissolve on October 3. The election must be held within 45 days of that date.