Most people in Bangkok want their new governor to tackle public transport and traffic problems as a priority, while independent candidate Chadchart Sittipunt still leads in the latest opinion poll, released today (Wednesday) by King Prajadhipok’s Institute.
The poll, which surveyed 1,038 people online, 702 of whom are eligible voters, shows that 66.4% of respondents want to see the new governor tackle public transport and traffic problems; 64.2% want better management of the environment, cleanliness and more green areas; 52.6% want improved safety for life and property; 45.5% want flood problems to be tackled as priority and 41.7% call for an improved health system.
On the question of whom they would elect as their next governor, 42.4% said former transport minister Chadchart, echoing other recent polls that show him in the lead; 18.2% said they have not decided yet; 12% said they will vote for Democrat candidate Suchatvee Suwansawat; 6.7% will vote for former Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang; 5.7% favour Move Forward candidate Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn and former deputy Bangkok governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul; 2.7% want former senator Rosana Tositrakul; 2.3% prefer Kosit Suvinijjit; 2.1% said they don’t want to vote and 2% want Sita Diwari of the Thai Sang Thai party.
Regarding the key factor in their choice of governor, 62.3% said they attach most importance to their policies; 48.9% said they prefer working experience and 29.9% said they like a governor who is genuinely serious about solving problems.
When asked how confident they are about the election, 71.9% of the respondents believe there will be vote buying; 49.1% said they trust in Election Commission to hold a fair election.
93.6% said they will go to the polls; 82.5% can remember the names of at least five candidates and 85.2% said they know the locations of their polling stations.
39.5% said they will vote for a female candidate, because female is as good as man and they would like to give a chance to a female candidate.
Other interesting results include how 30.1% of the respondents don’t know how many ballots they will have to cast on election day, 13.5% don’t know the governor’s term in office and that 58% do not know the number of city councillors.
The first Bangkok gubernatorial election in nine years and the first elections for Bangkok’s City Council in 12 years will be held on May 22. A total of 31 gubernatorial candidates registered for the election, the highest number in the capital’s history, with one already disqualified.
