New Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt went to the Election Commission (EC) office this morning (Wednesday) to receive his certification, officially declaring him to be the 17th governor of Bangkok, following his landslide victory 10 days ago.
Chadchart then went to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) office at Sao Ching Cha for the first time as the new Governor, where he was welcomed by BMA Permanent Secretary Khachit Chatchavanich.
Chadchart also engaged in religious ceremonies, during which he was greeted by BMA officials and staff, with some taking selfies with their new boss.
Speaking to reporters today, Chadchart asked all Bangkokians to go through his 214 policies, so that he can get feedback as to the optimum ways to execute them, and what other policies that should also be included. He emphasised the need for transparency, saying that he will not put up with any more corruption, as he wants the BMA to be an authority that is fair and transparent for all.
He also explained that, occasionally, he will visit places without prior notice, because he says he wants to meet the people and find out what they really want. From now, he will be talking to all 50 District Office Directors and 16 other departments about fixing the existing problems.
Asked what he considers the most urgent problems, Chadchart said flooding, road safety, zebra crossings and hawker stalls.
Meanwhile, it was also announced that there will be four deputy Bangkok governors, who will work alongside Chadchart. They are Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wisanu Subsompon of Chulalongkorn University, former Bangkok deputy governor Jakkapan Piwngarm, Asst. Prof. Dr. Tavida Kamolvej and Sanon Wangsrangboon.
It had been speculated that Move Forward Party gubernatorial candidate Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn would join Chadchart’s team, but the rumour has been refuted.
A 56-year-old former transport minister, under the Yingluck Shinawatra administration, Chadchart quit the Pheu Thai Party and ran as an independent candidate in the first gubernatorial election in nine years, following the 2014 coup which saw the Democrat’s M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatrabeing sacked by the regime. Sukhumbhand was succeeded by junta-appointed Aswin Kwanmuang, who also ran in the election, but ended up fourth runner-up.
Bangkok is the only province of Thailand that has elected governors, as those in other provinces are appointed. Pattaya City also elects its own mayor and city councillors.
