Surges, slumps, and council checks: Key takeaways from Bangkok elections

Chadchart Sittipunt returns as boss of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) with an even bigger mandate, after securing the highest number of votes ever recorded by a gubernatorial candidate.

His sweeping victory – along with the performance of his rivals and results from the concurrent Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) election – also shed clear light on the capital’s shifting political landscape.

On Sunday (June 28), roughly 2.2 million voters cast their ballots to decide the city’s fate for the next four years. Though the turnout of 50% was far lower than the 60.7% recorded in 2022, it met the expectations of most political analysts, who said Bangkokians were suffering from political fatigue.

Chadchart’s triumph

Chadchart’s electoral win confirmed that he remains a firm favourite among Bangkokians. He secured 67.94% (1.54 million) of the vote, surpassing his own landmark victory four years ago with 1.39 million votes.

In second place was independent candidate Mallika Boonmeetrakool Mahasook, trailing with a mere 304,494 votes, followed by People’s Party candidate Chaiwat Sathawornwich (188,144) and the Democrat Party’s Anucha Burapachaisri (106,739).

Chadchart refused to glory in his crushing win, instead emphasising the task ahead: “This is not time for celebration, it’s time to prepare for work.”

The fact that he received even more votes than four years ago despite the lower turnout suggests that many Bangkok residents have been impressed by his performance over the past four years.

However, Chadchart acknowledges that his upcoming term will be far more challenging, even if he has four years of experience under his belt.

“People have higher expectations now, and the world, technology and urban challenges are changing fast,” he said.

He vowed to meet these challenges by transforming his broad platform of over 260 policies into a streamlined strategy focused on delivering tangible benefits.

“I will set a clear direction for the BMA’s workforce of 80,000-plus people,” he said.

Stithorn Thananithichot, a political science lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, noted that corruption allegations levelled against city officials did little to hamper Chadchart’s popularity at the ballot box. He said Chadchart won because local voters had kept a close watch on his practical, day-to-day work during his first term.

Lessons from defeat

Meanwhile, the People’s Party was left to ponder the lessons of defeat, with key party member Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn branding Chaiwat’s third-place finish as a “reprimand” from the voters.

“The result tells us that voters expect us to do more homework, prepare better and try harder,” said Wiroj, who contested the 2022 Bangkok gubernatorial race under the now dissolved Move Forward Party, predecessor to the People’s Party.

“We must explain our political ideologies and stance in a stronger, clearer and better manner to win back voters’ trust,” he said in a Facebook post.

Assoc Prof Dr Siripan Nogsuan Sawasdee, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University, stated that the People’s Party faced challenges in maintaining its brand image as an anti-establishment agent of change.

“It has avoided political confrontations in favour of a path of grand compromise,” Siripan said in a television interview, referring to moves made by its de facto leader, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.

She noted that the party originally won popularity through hardcore fans defending and promoting it on social media.

“However, this election saw hardly any voter-generated social-media content for the party,” she said.

Siripan pointed out that the decision to appoint former Thammasat University rector Suraphol Nitikraipot as chair of its campaign advisory team alienated many core supporters, given his ties to a military junta. Suraphol was appointed to serve in the National Legislative Assembly after the military ousted Thaksin Shinawatra’s government in 2006.

However, Assoc Prof Dr Olarn Thinbangtieo, a political science lecturer at Burapha University, attributed the People’s Party’s defeat to tactical mistakes.

“They were late in unveiling their candidate, failed to build continuous momentum on the ground, and pinned too much hope on social media. They overlooked the fact that Chadchart has also built an incredibly effective social media presence,” Olarn said.

He added that abrasive rhetoric from the party’s hardcore fans may also have alienated moderate voters.

Turning to the Democrat Party, Olarn said Anucha’s campaign struggled to gain traction because his nomination came in late and he failed to deliver eye-catching policies.

“Many voters wanted an alternative to Chadchart but disliked the People’s Party and felt as if the Democrat Party had failed them. These voters largely pivoted to Mallika because she ran as an independent candidate,” Olarn said.

Consolation for major parties

Though the two major political parties fell short in the race for the governor’s seat, they maintained a strong foothold in the simultaneous city council elections.

Of the 50 seats available in the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, the People’s Party secured 22, establishing the largest single faction, while the Democrat Party maintained its presence with eight, as per unofficial results. In addition, 32 of the councillors elected are experienced incumbents or prominent figures in the communities they represent.

“This shows that Bangkokians have chosen their councillors to provide a check-and-balance system [to the governor and BMA] and ensure good work is done on the ground,” Olarn said.

Challenges ahead

Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a well-known marine scientist and lecturer at Kasetsart University, said the immediate challenges facing Chadchart and the BMA are floods, air pollution, and heat.

“Bangkok will face the effects of the Super El Niño [this year], so we must be well prepared,” he said.

Thon wants the BMA to prioritise public health by providing cooling centres, drinking water for the vulnerable, and localised alert systems.

Saree Ongsomwang, secretary-general of the Thailand Consumers Council, also urged Chadchart to prioritise upgrading public services.

“There is an urgent need to optimise patient referral systems in Bangkok’s community health centres, update old urban zoning maps, tighten anti-corruption oversight, and expand feeder bus networks to make mass transit more accessible,” she said.