Songkhla Mayor Resigns to Trigger Fresh Election
Songkhla City Mayor Wanchai Prinissanri announced his resignation at a council meeting on October 12, 2026, citing concerns that staying until his term ends in November would hinder the organization of a new election due to seasonal activities and flood risks. He submitted his resignation to the Songkhla provincial governor to pave the way for a fresh municipal election. The Songkhla Election Commission has begun preparations and will appoint a local election committee to hold the vote within 60 days, with at least two teams already declared for the upcoming mayoral race.
Speaking at the end of the council session, Mayor Wanchai thanked council members for their trust over nearly four years in office, noting that many development projects would not have succeeded without their support. He said that after consulting his administrative team, they decided to resign effective immediately to avoid any scheduling conflicts with the upcoming election period. The mayor highlighted that during his tenure the city had seen considerable change and numerous infrastructure projects completed. He stressed that all achievements relied on the confidence of the municipal council members to work for the public good. The Songkhla Election Commission reported that it has already begun preparations for the election in cooperation with the municipality, and will appoint a local election committee to conduct the vote within the legally mandated 60‑day window. Regarding the forthcoming mayoral race, at least two teams have emerged: Wanchai’s own “Songkhla Creative” team, which says it will defend his seat, and the challenger “Songkhla Progressive” team led by newcomer Kriangkrai Kamkam. A third team may still be forming.
