Thai PM Prayuth faces test as ‘fed-up’ Bangkok residents set to elect governor amid economic woes

Pro-democracy politician Chadchart Sittipunt leads the race of over a dozen candidates, including Prayuth’s handpicked incumbent, in an election dominated by economic concerns and a longrunning city battle with street food vendors

The election is viewed as a barometer of Prayuth’s premiership, with some 15 per cent of Bangkok’s 4.3 million voters being Gen Z voters likely to back anti-government candidates

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Former transport minister Chadchart Sittipunt speaks to reporters as he campaigns in Phayathai district. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:30am, 10 May 2022

On a visit to the Thai capital’s biggest slum last weekend, Bangkok’s leading governor candidate Chadchart Sittipunt assured residents in the Khlong Toei district it would not be the last time they could meet him, after some people said governors rarely visited the area in the past.

The independent contender has been known as a down-to-earth, accessible politician since he served as Thailand’s transport minister in the Yingluck Shinawatra cabinet from 2012 to 2014, overseeing the high-speed rail plan that later collapsed when the military seized power.

During his tenure, Chadchart often travelled with little or no entourage on public transport, including motorbike taxis. In 2013, he asked senior transport officials to ride the bus to work at least once a week and report back on how to improve services. Chadchart, 55, is also a fitness enthusiast and in recent months, he has campaigned by running and cycling in many Bangkok communities to meet and hear from people.

Former transport minister Chadchart Sittipunt poses with residents Phayathai district. Photo: AFP

All signs suggest a win for Chadchart on May 22, when Bangkok residents will vote for their city leader for the first time since 2013. The former engineering professor has led every opinion poll by a clear margin in recent weeks.

The last elected Bangkok governor, Sukhumbhand Paribatra, was removed from office in 2016 by coup leader and current Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who then installed former metropolitan police chief Aswin Kwanmuang in the position. Aswin is himself seeking to win the election, which has been viewed as a test for Prayuth’s premiership as economic hardship hits the government’s popularity.

Bangkok and the resort town of Pattaya are the only administrative areas in Thailand where residents are eligible to elect their governor and mayor, respectively.

A supporter cheers on Aswin Kwanmuang as he campaigns in Bangkok on April 25, 2022. Photo: EPA-EFE

The new Bangkok governor will manage an expanding city that is home to 15 million people by some estimates. High costs of living and economic opportunities have been the highlight of the campaign, after many pandemic-hit businesses had to close for good.