Bangkok Election Chief Announces Chatchathat's Resignation; New Governor to be Selected Within 60 Days, Confirms June 28 Timeline, Clarifies Ballots Won't Include QR Codes
Bangkok Governor Chatchathat Sittipanth has resigned, triggering a new gubernatorial election scheduled for June 28 with a 294 million baht budget and approximately 4.5 million eligible voters.
On May 16, Pol. Lt. Col. Samphan Saengkhamlert, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Election Commission, revealed that Bangkok Governor Chatchathat Sittipanth has submitted a resignation letter to the Interior Minister. According to Bangkok administration regulations, the resignation becomes effective the day after submission, and the Election Commission (EC) must hold a new election within 60 days. During this period, the Bangkok Deputy Governor will serve as acting governor.
Since this transition occurs near the end of the current governor's term on May 20, the Election Commission approved conducting both elections simultaneously.
The Bangkok election budget has been set at 294 million baht, an increase from the previous gubernatorial election which cost approximately 280 million baht. This budget covers election unit management, equipment, personnel, and public services. Candidate registration is scheduled for May 28, with voting on June 28 to maximize budget efficiency.
Pol. Lt. Col. Samphan confirmed that election observers will be present and outlined the election structure. The Bangkok Governor and its equivalent will oversee the election, with five additional local election committee members. The Bangkok Deputy Governor will serve as the local election director, with sub-committees in all 50 electoral districts.
Approximately 4,507,523 people are eligible to vote, with 6,629 polling units (99 more than parliamentary elections). Results will be reported at the Rattanakosin Hall of Bangkok City Hall.
Candidate registration runs from May 28 to June 1 at Airavata Development Building in Din Daeng District. A registration drill will be held on May 27. A ballot drawing will occur simultaneously at 51 locations. Ballots will be delivered on June 18 via Thai Post with police escort.
Pol. Lt. Col. Samphan confirmed that ballots will definitively not include QR codes, as local election regulations use rubber stamp imprinting according to established procedures.
Regarding first-time voters, including 18-year-olds and those who recently relocated across districts, the EC will announce the voter list 25 days before the election for public verification. Those who relocated and haven't completed one year in their new district registration will not initially appear on the voter list.
