Pursuing an ambitious agenda, Chadchart Sittipunt, 56, is all set to become Bangkok’s first elected governor since the 2014 coup, after receiving a record-high mandate in the May 22 election.

The independent candidate on Tuesday (May 31) got the long-awaited nod from the Election Commission to take the reins of the Thai capital.

The new governor secured 1.38 million votes, reflecting his popularity across the political spectrum, but he carries the burden of enormous public expectations as reflected in the massive mandate.

The landslide victory also points to the high confidence voters have in his professional competence to manage Bangkok’s economy.

Chadchart was a transport minister in the Pheu Thai Party administration of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra before then-Army chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha toppled the government in a coup in May 2014.

Probably his background in overseeing a Cabinet portfolio could have worked to his advantage, as voters may have posed greater faith in his ability to run the city administration compared to a relative greenhorn.

During the election campaign, Chadchart appealed to the voters with an ambitious agenda to transform Bangkok. He proposed 214 policies covering nine areas: public safety, arts and creativity, environment, economics, transport, health, infrastructure and zoning, education, and management.

Economic focus

Chadchart has pledged to initiate 30 policies focused on the grassroots economy and disadvantaged groups.

“I like the fact that his economic policies are elaborated at the micro-level, and they are designed to address the needs of targeted groups. They are clear-cut,” says Vimut Vanitcharoenthum, an economics lecturer at Chulalongkorn Business School.

Source: Thai Public Broadcasting Service