Interior Minister Gen Anupong Phaochinda today hinted at the possibility that the long-awaited Bangkok governor election could be held in May this year.

He said an election for the mayor of Pattaya could also be held around the same time.  

This was the most concrete timeframe for the elections of the two cities offered by the Prayut government so far.  Anupong made the commitment while answering a query in the Senate.

Anupong said the Interior Ministry is coordinating with the Election Commission in working out a timeline for the elections.  The matter will be submitted to the Cabinet for consideration in early March.

He said the Election Commission will be then announcing an official date for the elections which he indicated could be held in May. Elections of members of the Bangkok city council and district councils should also be organized along with the governor election, he said.

“We are not dragging our feet on this. There is a legal procedure to follow. We have no intention to buy time to favor any particular political party,” Anupong said in reference to accusations by critics that the Prayut government is trying to delay the Bangkok governor election because the ruling Palang Pracharat Party still cannot find a suitable candidate for the poll.

The last Bangkok governor election was held in 2013 which saw Sukhumbhand Paribatra re-elected for the second term. However, his tenure was shortly after he was sacked by then coup leader Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha in 2016.