Reaching out via phone applications

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

The Nation
February 19, 2013 1:00 am

Other than making the most of social-media websites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, Bangkok governor candidates have now expanded to smart-phone applications.

Yesterday, Democrat candidate Sukhumbhand Paribatra launched the "Mayar" application, through which voters can learn more about his policies, especially the one that aims to make Bangkok a high-tech city. Though Sukhumbhand launched this application with much fan fair, he is not the only candidate to come up with such a gimmick.

Suharit Siamwalla, independent candidate No 17, launched the "Layar" application during a speech at Lumpini Park on February 1. This application offers Suharit's policies in the form of videos or images, except it is difficult to use because Suharit is the only candidate who does not have many election posters put up on footpaths.

Sereepisuth Temeeyaves also provides a QR code on his election boards, but he has yet to tell Bangkokians how to use it.

Sakulsri Srisaracam, Communication Arts lecturer from Dhurakij Pundit University, said that though some people might be tempted to use these applications, most voters still prefer to have face-to-face encounters with the candidates. Besides, she said, the application may not always work due to low Internet signal.

However, she said Sukhumbhand's plan to link his application to that of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to help solve the capital's problems was very interesting.

Social-media expert Poramate Minsiri, however, said that this application is only being used to add colour to Sukhumbhand's campaign because the only person who will benefit from the application is the owner. He also wondered why Sukhumbhand limited this application to election boards, adding that voters should be able to access each candidate's policies anywhere.

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