LOS ANGELES, 27 September 2012 – A delegation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) is on a visit to Los Angeles to observe the LA administrative system and strengthen both cities’ relationship.
BMC Chairman Suthichai Weerakulsunthorn yesterday met with Los Angeles Council deputy chairman Tom LaBonge. Mr Suthichai said after the meeting that the BMC would take the City of Los Angeles as its model of metropolitan administration. He voiced his support to the LA Council’s petition system in which people are allowed to express their complaints at a Council meeting. And if possible, Mr Suthichai said the approach would be adopted during the BMC meeting in October. Besides, a proposal will be made to the government to amend related laws to allow the BMC to fully manage public utilities in Bangkok.
As Los Angeles and Bangkok have entered an agreement to be friendship cities, the BMC chairman hoped that his visit would lead to greater cooperation in such fields as student exchange, education, culture, economy and tourism.
During this visit to LA, which is the second largest city in the US after New York, the BMC delegation also had a chance to observe the LA environmental management system, police affairs and other public utilities such as electricity and waterworks.
Meanwhile, Mr LaBonge expressed during his talk with the BMC delegation that he was willing to support the BMC in the latter’s bid to promote educational exchange programs, as well as in other development projects that were deemed beneficial to Bangkok. He also commended Bangkok as a beautiful city with a unique culture and popular destinations for tourists around the world.
