Election Commission Secretary General Confident Bangkok Governor and Pattaya Mayor Elections Will Proceed Smoothly, Expects Intense Competition
The Election Commission chief expressed confidence that upcoming Bangkok governor and Pattaya mayor elections will run smoothly, emphasizing that fair voting requires cooperation between officials, candidates, and citizens to prevent irregu
On May 8, 2025, at the Centara Life Centrale Rayong Convention Center, Sawang Boonmee, Secretary General of the Election Commission (EC), chaired an opening ceremony for a preparatory meeting on organizing elections for Bangkok Metropolitan Assembly members, the Bangkok governor, Pattaya City Council members, and the Pattaya mayor (in cases of completing a full term).
Sawang stated that achieving fair and orderly elections requires both integrity and proper procedure. Every election faces problems and obstacles, but the EC sets high standards aimed at upholding democratic principles—that elections belong to the people, are conducted by the people, and benefit the people. The commission emphasized that elections are not solely the EC's responsibility; they are a collaborative effort involving citizens, as some voters serve as polling unit commissioners without EC involvement. In previous elections, over 1.6 million volunteers participated in this capacity.
The secretary general noted that the EC, candidates, and voters all have equal visibility and ability to verify election processes. This transparency is intentional—since the commission cannot monitor every polling unit simultaneously, public oversight is essential. All transactions are verifiable, and no votes can be distorted. Vote buying remains a shared responsibility among candidates, political parties, and the EC to prevent and investigate.
Sawang stressed that if citizens understand their civic duties, elections will succeed. Polling commissioners cannot be guaranteed to be perfect, but the system can enforce legal compliance. Candidates and political parties should know the law better than ordinary citizens, yet some choose to violate it. Citizens who accept vote-buying money also bear responsibility. Electoral success depends on everyone recognizing the stakes for the nation's future.
The secretary general addressed complaints that arise after 6 p.m. on election night, noting three factors determine victory: first, the capabilities of candidates competing equally on the same field (winners typically possess seven key qualities); second, the rules, which sometimes favor certain parties; and third, the commissioners, who maintain equal procedures. If pressure is applied to commissioners, they follow procedures as defined by law. For fair competition, candidates must assess whether they possess the necessary capabilities and whether the rules are equitable.
