A look at the candidates for Bangkok Governor from the Prachachon Party, with “Dr. Joe” Chaiwat Staworawijit as the clear front-runner.
On 27 Apr 2026 GMT+7, reporters received updates from the Prachachon Party regarding the search for their Bangkok governor candidate. The decision is nearing completion, with an official announcement scheduled for 5:00 PM on 5 May 2026 GMT+7 at Museum Siam, Bangkok. Recently, the party’s executives have approached several people to run under the Prachachon banner, including Ms. Piangphano Boonklam, a lawyer and public reform team member, and Mr. Rawis Hanutsahas, executive of the cosmetic brand Srichand. However, neither has yet agreed. Additionally, last week the party approached Mr. Wirot Lakkhanaadisorn, former party list MP, former deputy party leader, and former Bangkok governor candidate for the Move Forward Party, but he declined the offer.
Those approached but yet to respond or decline include Mr. Woraphop Wiriyaroj, a former party list MP and key economic figure in the Prachachon Party, and Dr. Chaiwat Staworawijit, also known as “Dr. Joe,” a party list MP and former deputy foreign affairs leader of Prachachon. As of the afternoon of 27 Apr 2026 GMT+7, party leaders confirmed that there is over a 50% chance that Dr. Chaiwat is the favored candidate the party executives will select to run for Bangkok governor under the Prachachon Party.