Introducing Ai Chavalpatchar Samretwanich, the biological niece of Im Theerarat, the family's key political figure behind the scenes, who has officially announced her candidacy for the Lat Krabang council seat, aiming to preserve the family's traditional political base.
On 13 May 2026, the Bangkok governor election field intensified after the Election Commission announced the registration period for candidates for Bangkok governor and the new Bangkok Metropolitan Council members from 28 May to 1 June 2026, with voting scheduled for Sunday, 28 June 2026. Although the Pheu Thai Party declared it would not field candidates for governor or council seats, it allowed Ms. Theerarat Samretwanich, Pheu Thai deputy leader, to oversee Bangkok and its vicinity by leading the selection of council candidates. The first confirmed candidate is Chavalpatchar Samretwanich, or Ai, who has declared her challenge for the Lat Krabang district council seat.
Chavalpatchar Samretwanich, nicknamed Ai, is the niece of Wiboon Samretwanich, former Lat Krabang council member, and Ms. Theerarat Samretwanich, or Im, deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party. Im and Ai share a particularly close relationship, often seen together. Ai graduated with a bachelor's degree from King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL). She has worked behind the scenes assisting Ms. Theerarat, playing a vital role in charity activities in Lat Krabang and frequently communicating with the public via social media to promote the family's policies and community aid efforts.
Most recently, ahead of the Bangkok governor and council elections, Ms. Theerarat officially endorsed Ms. Chavalpatchar's candidacy for the Lat Krabang council seat, aiming to maintain the Samretwanich family's longstanding political influence in the area.
