Biography of “Big Yom,” Pol. Lt. Gen. Charntep Sesavej, candidate for Bangkok Governor under the Economic Party.
On 17 May 2026, reporters noted that as soon as Pol. Lt. Gen. Charntep Sesavej, former Metropolitan Police Commissioner, announced his candidacy for Bangkok Governor with the Economic Party, attention immediately focused on his background and the circumstances that led to his decision. “A-Yom” —the nickname used by media circles—has boldly stepped forward to challenge the Bangkok gubernatorial race this time.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Charntep, known as “Big Yom,” was born at Ban Khaek Intersection in Thonburi on 6 October 1958. He is 68 years old this year and is the son of a former tank unit police officer assigned to the Paruskavan Palace during the era of Police General Phao Sriyanond, then Police Department Director-General.
He began his education at Assumption Thonburi School before moving to the boarding school at the Chulabhorn Royal Military Academy in Nakhon Pathom Province, where he played rugby as a fly-half for the school team.
Close friend of Big Pae
He graduated from the 36th class of the Royal Police Cadet Academy (RPA 36) and was classmates with Police General Chakthip Chaijinda, former National Police Chief. Big Yom and Big Pae have been close friends since their time as rugby players together at the Police Cadet Academy over four years.
Regarding his police career
Pol. Lt. Gen. Charntep has extensive experience in investigation and suppression. He is a versatile officer skilled in both operational and administrative roles, rising from deputy investigation superintendent at Mueang Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Police Station to deputy superintendent of Division 3, Investigation Bureau of the Northern Metropolitan Police Command. He investigated major cases such as the communist militant group led by Winalai Saengchan and the fatal shooting of a gang member known as Tee Yai. He held significant positions in various regions, including:
• Deputy Commander of the Special Branch Police
• Deputy Commander of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (Deputy Commissioner of Narcotics Suppression)
• Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police
• Commander of Police Region 7
• Commander of Police Region 1
• Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, his key role before retirement
After retirement
• He was appointed a special royal guard police officer
• He served as head of the audit team investigating corruption at Thai Airways Public Company Limited
• He entered politics as a member of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) during the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) era, starting 13 October 2016
• Later, he became the first secretary-general of the Thai Pakdee Party in 2022
He resigned from the secretary-general position, citing a desire to return to farming. However, when his close friend, Big Pae, declined to run for Bangkok Governor this time, “Big Yom” was immediately put forward to contest under the Economic Party and is preparing for an official announcement soon. “Big Yom” was thus nominated as the Economic Party’s candidate and is set to make a formal introduction shortly.
