Bangkok picks independent as new governor as national vote looms

THAILAND’S capital overwhelmingly voted for an independent to be its new governor in the first election in almost a decade, with the winner facing the challenges of rebuilding Bangkok’s pre-pandemic status as a tourism hub and tackling persistent pollution.

Chadchart Sittipunt, a former transport minister who consistently led pre-election surveys, was ahead with almost 52 per cent of the vote and 60 per cent of the ballots counted, according to unofficial results from the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority. An estimated 64 per cent of the city’s 4.4 million voters exercised their franchise, official data showed.

Chadchart, who holds a master’s degree in engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is credited with improving Thailand’s public transport systems as a minister, won support across the political spectrum as he focused on policies rather than politics, according to Woothisarn Tanchai, a political analyst at King Prajadhipok’s Institute in Bangkok.   

“Chadchart has made it very clear that he is not affiliated with any political parties and would like to work with all parties,” Woothisarn said. “This has helped him win votes from people across political affiliations.”

Still, Chadchart’s landslide win may embolden pro-democracy groups and the opposition which has been pushing for the ouster of coup-leader-turned Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha. The main opposition party, with which Chadchart was previously associated, plans to bring in a no-confidence vote against Prayuth in July citing his government’s failure to handle surging inflation and the pandemic-dealt hit to the tourism-reliant economy.  

The outcome may also be seen as pointing to voter preference ahead of the general elections due early next year. While Chadchart was seen as someone with links to the opposition Pheu Thai party, Asawin Kwanmuang, a former governor appointed to the job by the military regime, was seen as close to Prayuth government. 

Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn of the Move Forward Party that backed a youth-led protest movement calling for unprecedented monarchy reforms, and Suchatvee Suwansawat, a nominee of the ruling coalition member Democrat Party, were placed second and third respectively in the election.

Chadchart said on Sunday (May 22) that he was ready to be a governor for all and called for unity to build a better Bangkok.

“This city has been hindered by a myriad of problems that hurt its potential. I would like everybody to help me bring this city to its potential,” Chadchart said at a news conference.

SEE ALSO

Bangkok votes for new governor for first time in a decade

For Chadchart, the immediate challenge will be to repair Bangkok’s economy. He will also need to turn his attention to age-old problems including pollution, flooding and traffic jams, according to Punchada Sirivunnabood, an associate professor at Mahidol University in Bangkok.

“The more pressing issue is economic recovery after the pandemic,” Punchada said. “Singapore and Jakarta have clear plans on that but we haven’t heard anything much on how the Thai capital will boost its economy post-Covid.”

Bangkok is Thailand’s commercial hub with an annual budget of about 80 billion baht (S$3.2 billion), and the gateway to the country’s various tourist destinations. The pandemic has devastated tourism and related businesses, with hundreds of thousands of people losing jobs and forced to return home and work in farmlands.

Bangkok and Pattaya, a resort town on the Gulf of Thailand, are the only localities that hold direct elections for their leaders. Still, the governor’s ability to tackle Bangkok’s traffic and pollution problems are limited. The city often battles poor air quality as a result of industrial emissions, construction, crop burning and vehicle fumes, forcing authorities to sometimes shut schools temporarily and open pollution clinics. 

Chadchart being an independent without the backing of the 50-member city council — who were also elected on Sunday — will find it difficult to pass annual budgets and rewrite rules to improve public amenities, Punchada said.

Opposition Phe Thai led the city council tally with leads in 18 seats while the Move Forward was ahead in 15 seats with 60 per cent of the votes counted, data from the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority showed. BLOOMBERG