By Thai Newsroom Reporters
BANGKOK GOVERNOR ASWIN Kwanmuang has stepped down today (Mar.24) with intent to contest a gubernatorial election, scheduled for May 22.
Aswin has tendered his resignation as an unelected governor and planned to vie as a non-partisan contestant for a return to the top post at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
Since 2016, Aswin has ruled the BMA after he was named Bangkok governor by a ruling junta calling themselves the National Council for Peace and Order under leadership of army chief-turned-premier Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Other noted contestants for Bangkok governor include former transport minister Chadchart Sittipunt who is running as a non-partisan candidate, former King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang rector Suchatvee Suwansawat who is contesting under the banners of Democrat Party, former MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn who is running under the tickets of Move Forward Party, former MP Sita Tiwari who is running under the tickets of Thai Sang Thai Party, former senator Rosana Tositrakul who is running as a non-partisan candidate and former deputy Bangkok governor Sakoltee Pattiyakul who is running as a non-partisan candidate.
The Thai capital which currently has 50 districts and a 15 million-plus population is run by the autonomous BMA.
Meanwhile, Pattaya Mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem has also stepped down today with intent to help one of his close associates namely Paramet Ngampichet with the latter’s electoral campaign as a non-partisan candidate for Pattaya mayor.
Sonthaya has ruled the world-renowned beach city after he was named an unelected mayor by the Prayut-led junta in 2018.
Pattaya City is also an autonomous administrative body with a 120,000 population where a mayoral election will be separately held on the same day as that for Bangkok governor.
The May 22 electoral date coincides with that which will mark the eighth anniversary of the coup with the Prayut-led junta deposing then-prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Home Page: Bangkok Governor Asawin Kwanmuang.
Insert: Pattaya Mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem. All photos: Naewna
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