Candidates in Bangkok gubernatorial election on May 22nd turned up in force, with their supporters, at City Hall 2 in Din Daeng this morning (Thursday), to register their candidacy and to draw lots for their numbers. Candidates in the election of councillors for Bangkok’s 50 districts also showed up to register.
Thursday is the first day of the candidate registrations that will last five days. The May Bangkok governor election will be the first in nine years.
Lot drawing results, so far, are as follows:
- No 1, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, Move Forward Party
- No 2, Lt-Col Thita Rangsitpol Manitkul
- No 3, Former Deputy Bangkok Governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul
- No 4, Dr. Suchatvee Suwansawat, Democrat Party
- No 5, Weerachai Laoruangwattana
- No 6, Former Governor Aswin Kwanmuang
- No 7, Former Senator Rosana Tositrakul
- No 8, Former Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt
- No 9, Watcharee Wannasri
- No 10, Dr. Supachai Tantikom
- No 11, Sita Diwari, Thai Sang Thai Party
- No 12, Prayoon Krongyos, Thai Civilized Party
- No 13, Paisal Kittiyaowaman
- No 14, Thanet Wongsa
However, the lot drawing process is still under way as more candidates are expected to arrive later today. Registration of candidacy will last until April 4th.
This Bangkok gubernatorial election will be the first since March 2013, when then Governor M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, of the Democrat Party, won his second-term. Three years later, however, he was fired by the military junta, led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who then appointed Aswin Kwanmuang in his place.
Parties fielding candidates for city councillor today include Pheu Thai, Democrat, Palang Pracharath, Move Forward and Thai Sang Thai, Kla and Ruam Thai United parties fielded 12 and 7 candidates respectively. Neither the Pheu Thai nor Palang Pracharath parties fielded any gubernatorial candidates this morning.
Candidates for the governor’s job are required to be a Thai national, at least 35 years old on the election date, hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, be domiciled in Bangkok for not less than one year on the date of candidacy registration and are not disqualified by law from contesting an election. Election campaign expenditure is capped at 49 million baht.
Qualifications for candidates vying for city councillor posts are similar, but the minimum age is 25.
There are more than 4.3 million eligible voters, with over 6,900 polling units.
Election campaigning can take place from today until 6pm on May 21st.
