“Dr. Joe” is unfazed by polls favoring independent candidates and is confident in the People's Party’s solid voter base from the parliamentary arena. He views positively that 38% of people choose both the Bangkok governor and councilors from the same party, which indicates understanding of city and district agendas and priorities.
On 31 May 2026, Mr. Chaiwat Sathavornvijit, the People's Party candidate for Bangkok governor, commented on a NIDA poll showing Bangkok residents favor independent candidates over party-affiliated ones. He said the poll could be interpreted in various ways: one perspective concerns views on the system, another concerns understanding of the roles between councilors and the governor. He believes that he and the People's Party councilor candidates are campaigning with two focuses: city agenda and district agenda. Their councilors have district-specific agendas about what developments they want locally, while the governor is responsible for the citywide agenda. For these agendas to align with the vision, the governor and councilors need to come from the same party.
"Looking at several polls together, around 38% of people want to choose both the Bangkok governor and councilors from the same party. This group likely understands the district and city agendas and recognizes that for the executive branch headed by the governor to pass policies effectively, councilor support is necessary—whether regarding budgets or enacting ordinances. In the past, some policies weren’t pushed efficiently enough. Councilors not only oversee the executive and advocate for the governor’s budget but also support policy-making. When the governor and councilors share the same vision, work can proceed quickly and effectively," Mr. Chaiwat said. Mr. Chaiwat said.
When asked if the poll results put them at a disadvantage, Mr. Chaiwat said he did not think so, citing the recent Bangkok parliamentary election where the People's Party won 33 districts across the city. This success likely reflects Bangkok residents recognizing the party’s work. After gaining public mandate and serving in parliament, the party worked diligently, seriously, and actively. Each member pushed their own agenda and monitored performance. He believes this has built public trust in the MPs. Many of their councilor candidates have also been in their areas for a long time, some for over a year, likely earning similar public confidence.
Regarding whether he still trusts the voter base from previous national elections, Mr. Chaiwat said the People's Party has supporters aligned with its ideology and approach—aiming to bring ordinary people, not political dynasties or financial backers, into local politics as representatives of the public for better community access. The party’s DNA of transparency, integrity, and a firm commitment to combating corruption is a key appeal to Bangkok residents.
When asked about a controversy during registration where some councilor candidates delayed drawing numbers to align with Mr. Chadchart, leading to accusations of piggybacking on him, Mr. Chaiwat said such behavior would negatively affect those candidates themselves. Bangkok people are informed and follow politics closely, so if they perceive such actions as intentional, they can judge accordingly. The specific number alignment is not the main issue; Bangkok residents have good discernment.
Asked if unofficial support among some candidates who do not openly declare backing might disadvantage the People's Party candidates, Mr. Chaiwat said that is for the public to decide. Transparency in work, including openly declaring candidacies and supporters and clarifying who aligns with whom and how they will collaborate, is important. He believes voters prefer the People's Party’s transparency, as they have publicly introduced all 50 councilor candidates and do not have so-called independent-but-not-independent candidates. He urged the public to make their judgment on 28 June.