The race for Bangkok governor edges closer

By Ken Lohatepanont

Finally, a date to ponder. An event much speculated, oft-discussed but, it seemed, in the state of long term limbo, its certainty anything but certain. After years of deep freeze, partisan politics will be returning to Bangkok. The gubernatorial election, along with its associated local races, is soon to be officially scheduled. 

Not that this was entirely unforeseen. For months a steady stream of candidates have been announcing their campaigns and unveiling their platforms. Riders of the Bangkok skytrain may by now be rather familiar with Suchatvee Suwansawat’s advertisements. The Move Forward party’s fans spent weeks speculating on who the party’s candidate would be. Rosana Tositrakul, a former Bangkok senator, continues a campaign she has long launched. Former transport minister Chadchart Sittipunt seems to have run — physically, that is — through the entire city. And we continue to guess about whether the incumbent, Governor Asawin Kwanmuang, will throw his hat in the ring, while his network of politicians have already put up posters proclaiming themselves as ‘Bangkok’s knights.’

Keep up to date with all things Thailand - Join our daily ASEAN NOW Thailand Newsletter - Click to subscribe

If the election does happen on May 22nd, as is currently mooted, it will demonstrate what has changed in the capital after such a long period of local inactivity. Eight years ago, of course, the Democrats were dominant, as they have long been in Bangkok. But this defrosting of local politicking will happen in the context of the post-2019 political landscape, one in which the Democrats are firmly on the back foot after losing its entirely parliamentary delegation from the capital. 

Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/38406/the-race-for-bangkok-governor-edges-closer/