Nonthaburi Provincial Administrator election underway. "Dr. Prap," independent candidate number 6, promotes a non-partisan concept with a six-area management policy.
On 29 Aug 2026, Mr. Prap Tham Phakbaworn, or "Dr. Prap," candidate for Nonthaburi Provincial Administrator, said the election is entering an intense competition phase amid focus on candidates from major political bases. However, another contender is himself, "Dr. Prap," number 6, an independent candidate with experience in recycling business, waste management, law, parliament, and local administration, offering a "no side chosen, select the worker" approach. The election will be held on 20 Sep 2026 following the vacancy of the Provincial Administrator position.
Early competition has centered on candidates from two major political bases: Mr. Naruphon Yenprasert, number 1 from the Phueng Luang group, and Mr. Decharat Sukkamned, number 4 from the Prachachon Party. However, other candidates remain in the race, including "Dr. Prap" Tham Phakbaworn, number 6, running as an independent after resigning party membership. He encourages voters to consider individual qualifications, experience, and management approach over political party affiliation.
Mr. Prap added that his unique experience includes long-term work in recycling and waste management. He founded Prap Waste Recycling Co., Ltd., which he later sold and exited several years ago. He also served as president of the Recycling and Scrap Buyers Association, gaining direct experience in waste and recyclable material management systems—from collection, sorting, transportation, reuse, to final disposal.
His perspective on waste extends beyond simple community garbage collection to a comprehensive management approach covering all stages—from source reduction, sorting, increasing recyclable material value, to lessening the burden on disposal systems.
Additionally, he has worked as a consultant at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang in innovation and industry management, enhancing his administrative and technological expertise. Beyond business, he has legal experience as a lawyer and has held legislative roles, including academic and secretary positions in the Senate's Governance Committee, as well as roles in subcommittees and other commissions.
Moreover, building on his legal and policy experience, he served as Deputy Mayor of Bang Khu Rat Municipality, Nonthaburi, from 2023–2024. His career spans private sector, law, legislative processes, and local government administration, bridging local and national political arenas.
Mr. Prap further stated his political journey is closely linked to Nonthaburi. He ran for Nonthaburi City Mayor in 2025 under his former name, Theerawong Sanpipat, earning 29,394 votes against the winner's 34,213. Later, he contested for Nonthaburi MP in District 1 before returning to local politics to run for Provincial Administrator. This is his first campaign for a top local executive position at the provincial level.
His education covers administration, law, and political economy. He holds a doctorate in development administration, with foundational studies in law and political economy, including political and administrative studies. He has completed senior executive political governance training at King Prajadhipok's Institute and public-private security administration at the Police College. He has also been invited as a speaker on business, innovation, environment, and management by academic institutions and government and private agencies.
Mr. Prap emphasized that in a field dominated by major political bases, his campaign promotes "no side chosen, select the worker," running as an independent. This does not reject differing political opinions but aims to refocus local administration on problems, solutions, and outcomes affecting citizens.
He noted that Nonthaburi's problems—regardless of political affiliation—such as flooding, traffic, waste, roads, and quality of life, impact all residents equally. His proposal is not about picking sides but selecting a management system that delivers real results.
Candidate number 6 explained that from his experience, he developed the "MATRIX Nonthaburi" concept: a management framework covering six areas, including administration, service access, technology, flood response, infrastructure, and transparency through public data access. Details on each area will be gradually revealed during campaigning, with particular focus on waste—one of the province's environmental challenges. This directly relates to his professional experience and addresses provincial waste management and the impact on communities near the Provincial Administrator’s waste disposal sites.
At the same time, managing the Provincial Administration Organization covers a broader scope beyond any single expertise. The provincial executive must handle and coordinate multiple dimensions—water, infrastructure, transport, environment, quality of life—and work with local administrative organizations. It remains to be seen how his background in business, waste management, law, parliament, and local administration will translate into provincial governance.
Mr. Prap added that in Nonthaburi, there are more than two choices. Despite early focus on candidates from two main political bases, voters are not limited to those options. His candidacy as independent candidate number 6 offers an alternative for voters who want to evaluate individuals based on experience and management approach rather than party affiliation. From recycler entrepreneur to roles in law, parliament, local administration, and political paths linked to Nonthaburi, this election is another test of how those experiences, along with the "no side chosen, select the worker" philosophy and "MATRIX Nonthaburi" framework, will be received by Nonthaburi’s voters on 20 September.