People’s Party candidate Chaiwat Sathawornwichit says he has no concerns about opinion polls that show incumbent Chadchart Sittipunt leading the race for Bangkok governor, insisting he remains fully confident and committed to tackling structural problems, particularly corruption.
Mr Chaiwat was campaigning on Friday at the Rung Charoen Market in Yannawa district of the capital alongside Pattarasak Maipranet, the party’s candidate for the city council election in the constituency.
Mr Chaiwat said Yannawa was an important commercial district, and the campaign visit aimed to present policies designed to make trade and commerce easier for vendors and residents.
Asked about opinion polls showing Mr Chadchart leading the race, Mr Chaiwat said the results were to be expected.
“Mr Chadchart has already served as governor and is widely known, so the poll results are not surprising,” he said.
A new KPI poll released on Friday by King Prajadhipok’s Institute showed Mr Chadchart with the support of 31.5% of respondents, with Mr Chaiwat a distant second at 13.1%.
Mr Chaiwat said the campaign for the June 28 election was entering a more intensive phase following the official drawing of candidate numbers this week.
The strategy of the People’s Party focuses on integrating district-level and city-level agendas so that the governor’s vision and city councillors’ work would align more effectively, he explained.
Such coordination would allow authorities to address residents’ problems more efficiently, quickly and consistently, he added.
He dismissed criticism that he appeared lacking in confidence about his gubernatorial bid.
“To say I lack confidence in running is completely untrue,” he said. “We are fully prepared, we have a clear work plan, and most importantly, we have the determination to tackle structural problems, especially corruption.”
He argued that solving corruption required strong political will from the executive branch.
“If the administration lacks the determination to seriously address these issues, anti-corruption efforts will remain superficial. Over the past four years, very few officials involved in corruption cases have actually been punished,” Mr Chaiwat said.
He added that corruption problems should be tackled at their root causes, saying the People’s Party had proposed using systematic, data-driven approaches to analyse and address such issues more seriously.
As Mr Chaiwat and Mr Pattarasak toured the market to canvass support, residents greeted them warmly, with some presenting flowers and marigold garlands. Vendors and shoppers offered encouragement, with several wishing Chaiwat success in his bid for governor.
Mr Chadchart, who is running as an independent, and Mr Chaiwat are among 16 candidates who registered for the race on Thursday.
Mr Chadchart drew No 9 and unveiled his campaign slogan: “A city of opportunity and hope for everyone”.
Mr Chaiwat secured No 10 and pledged to pursue city-wide and district-level agendas.
In May 2022, Mr Chadchart scored a historic landslide victory, receiving 1.38 million votes.
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