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There is a wide range of choice - from a not-so-impressive former Democrat Party member, Kriengsak Charoenwongsak, to the former massage-parlour tycoon, Chuwit Kamolvisit, to a scandal-plagued former deputy governor, Panich Vikitsreth, to ML Nattakorn Devakula, a young (self-serving/self-promoting) television personality with no experience in public service whatsoever.

Nattakorn said he has yet to formally announce his candidacy but it is an open secret that his campaign machine is well beyond the warm-up stage. The young man is definitely in a hurry; his campaign leaflets are already being handed out.

His lack of experience in the public arena, as well as his holier-than-thou attitude could kill his chances. Nattakorn not too long ago suggested that Bangkok voters were not so smart for electing a consumer protection advocate. Worse, he plans to crack down on sleazy entertainment outlets because prostitutes, he says, give Bangkok a bad reputation.

Kriengsak tries hard to get attention but the spotlight just won't shine on him. And the harder he tries, the more he turns people off. If Nattakorn is a young man in a hurry, Kriengsak is an old man going nowhere.

Panich doesn't look so good, politically speaking. The Department of Special Investigations has yet to wrap up his case but the allegation that he was embroiled in a scandal involving the Bangkok Rapid Transit project could be too much baggage for him to carry out an effective campaign.

Sad to say, as it stands former Bangkok papasan, Chuwit, might come out ahead. What Chuwit has going for him is that, although he may seem a little cocky to some, he doesn't pretend to be something he is not.

The man has got a mouth and a half. He once told Kanjana Silpa-archa, the daughter of Chart Thai Party boss, Banharn, that she should concern herself with her "private parts" rather than sticking her neck in his business. Banharn and Chuwit went at it in a war of words that ended in Chuwit's resignation from the Chat Thai Party.

With the exception of Panich, all of the current candidates are nothing less than spotlight chasers. And these candidates should know better. Do they think that their celebrity status, or the fact that they get their faces on television, gives them the credentials to run for the leadership of Bangkok? Bangkokians deserve better.