Tomorrow marks the first day to register for the Bangkok Governor and Councilor elections. "Chadchart, Dr. Joe Chaiwat, and Anucha" will arrive early in the morning to submit their applications. The first day is expected to be lively, with officials stressing that no candidates should have disqualifying traits under the law.
On 27 May 2026, several political parties and independent candidates unveiled their nominees for Bangkok Governor and the Bangkok Council (BMA Councilors). In this governor race, Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt, former Bangkok Governor, announced his bid for a second term as an independent and will register at 6:00 a.m. Meanwhile, the Prachachon Party nominated Mr. Chaiwat Satthaworawijit, known as Dr. Joe, former party-list MP, who will arrive with all 50 councilor candidates by bus at 7:00 a.m. The Democrat Party introduced Mr. Anucha Boonrachaisri, former government spokesperson during the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration, as their candidate. He will come with councilor candidates and party executives, including party leader Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, deputy leaders Mr. Korn Chatikavanij, Mr. Sakolthee Phattiyakul, and advisor Mr. Ong-art Klampaiboon, arriving at 6:30 a.m.
Additionally, there are Ms. Mallika Bunmitraku Mahasuk, former Democrat MP running as an independent; Mr. Phasapong Chaiwiriyavanich, a governor candidate supported by Mr. Mongkolkitti Suksintaranon, known as “Tae 007,” chairman of the “Bangkok Can Fly” group; Mr. Komsan Panwichatikul, or “Dr. Joe,” heir of the well-known Thai fortune teller Mr. Panuwat Panwichatikul, former senator, popularly known as “Sin Sae Panuwat”; Police Lieutenant General Chanthhep Sesawet, running under the Economic Party; Mom Luang Korakasiwat Kasemsri, an independent energy scholar and social activist; and another likely candidate, Mr. Waranchai Chokchana, a political activist who has run for Bangkok Governor seven times before.
The registration for Bangkok Governor candidates will take place from 28 May to 1 June 2026, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at the Bangkok Room, B2 floor, Ira Wat Phatthana Building. Candidates arriving before 8:30 a.m. will be asked to write their arrival time and sign the registration sheet themselves. Registration and document verification will be conducted at a single point on the left side before entering the Bangkok Room, with four registration desks open.
At 8:30 a.m., officials will draw a red line under the last registered name, marking the group of candidates who arrived simultaneously, who will then have the right to negotiate the order of the lottery for the "order of application submission" and the "candidate number for campaigning." If they cannot agree on the order, the lottery process will proceed.
Officials also reminded prospective candidates to verify their qualifications and prepare all required documents. Councilor candidates must be at least 25 years old with no education requirement, while governor candidates must be at least 35 years old with at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent. They must have been registered residents in Bangkok for at least one consecutive year up to the election day and must not have any disqualifying legal characteristics under local laws.