China · Bangkok Post
Bangkok race set to tighten
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The race for Bangkok governor is shaping up to be far more competitive than the sweeping victory secured by Chadchart Sittipunt four years ago, with mounting signs that a significant portion of his original support base is shifting towards the People’s Party (PP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Chaiwat Sathawornwichit, also known as “Dr Joe”.
Key facts
- he added, noting that the 2013 International Court of Justice ruling over the Preah Vihear temple dispute remains politically sensitive in Thailand.
- While Mr Chadchart remains one of the strongest individual political brands in Bangkok politics, the political environment surrounding the June 28 election has changed considerably from the atmosphere that propelled him to a historic
- Its larger objective is to dominate the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC), where it is targeting 30 to 35 seats in an effort to establish a governing majority
- The council election will also be held on the same day as the June 28 governor poll.
Summary
While Mr Chadchart remains one of the strongest individual political brands in Bangkok politics, the political environment surrounding the June 28 election has changed considerably from the atmosphere that propelled him to a historic landslide in the 2022 gubernatorial contest, in which he garnered a whopping 1.3 million votes.
In that election, Mr Chadchart benefited from a unique convergence of factors: public frustration with traditional political parties, demand for a technocratic and pragmatic administrator, and support from younger urban voters seeking change after years of political polarisation.