Bangkok Governor Election 2026: Chadchart, the incoming governor for a second term, thanks all voters both for and against him, noting the next four years will be more intense with a focus on "work, work, work" and stressing there is no 'Ah Kong system'.
At 20:06 on 28 June 2026 GMT+7. Mr. Chadchart Sitthiphan, the incoming governor of Bangkok for a second term. He took the stage at Stadium One, Banthat Thong area, after unofficial vote counting exceeded 50%, but official confirmation from the Election Commission (EC) was still pending. He thanked all voters who voted for and against him, saying he did not feel like there was a winner or loser because the next governor's job is very demanding and the upcoming mission is crucial. He told his team that if they won this time, the workload would be heavier than before because the public's expectations are high and the world and technology are changing rapidly, so the work must be done with greater dedication than before.
Mr. Chadchart continued, “Whether people choose us or not, we must not disappoint the public. We have tried our best so far and believe we must continue to do so. Thank you for all the votes and to the citizens who kindly went out to vote. This is the beauty of democracy.”
He shared that yesterday he met a family whose parents and child all voted for the same person, a touching moment. He is ready to serve everyone, and if the EC confirms his win, the first task is to turn 260 policies into strategic plans and prioritize them, including a 100-day action plan focusing on difficult projects that require more time. On corruption, he believes the past four years were attentive and vows to intensify efforts. For more information on his team's projects, seethe website teamchadchart.com.That is the promise made to the public.
Mr. Chadchart also revealed that about an hour ago, Mr. Chaiwat Sathawornwijit, Bangkok governor candidate from the Prachachon Party, called to congratulate him and shared several policies. He said they have reviewed all parties' policies, found many good ideas, and intend to continue working together regardless of who wins. Since everyone is elected by the people, they are allies who can cooperate to develop the city. All votes matter regardless of choice. The current unofficial vote count exceeds 50%, but the final result awaits the EC's announcement. The current percentage is about 64%, showing improvement.
“I must thank the entire team. I am not here alone but because of the national team, support teams, and the media communicating policies. This is teamwork. I believe Bangkok can move forward because of all of us, not just Chadchart or a few people. Everyone must join hands. We are not inferior to any city globally. In four years, we will show Bangkok can become a leading, competitive city worldwide.”
The incoming governor for a second term said he feels excited but also respectful because this is not a victory but a mandate from the people. He knows the work will be hard; this is not a time to celebrate but to prepare carefully. He told his team to celebrate only tonight; tomorrow, they must begin planning and prioritizing. When meeting civil servants, they must communicate details so everyone shares the same goal and can move forward together from the first moment.
Mr. Chadchart also thanked his son, Saendee. Regarding whether he feels relieved, he said the campaign faced many challenges, and as someone who has served four years, he naturally faced criticism. He addressed issues directly and thanked the public for understanding. The most important thing is public trust. He noted that recent polls from NIDA consistently showed rising support despite any rumors. He is grateful for the public's trust and aims to improve himself and his team to eliminate doubts and build greater confidence.
When asked about his first mission, Mr. Chadchart answered that they must translate their policies into strategic plans because they need to lead 80,000 Bangkok officials and staff to follow their plan. Tomorrow, the team will meet to discuss how to set OKRs and KPIs. Strategy is key to ensure the next four years progress well, and the 100-day plan must be clearly defined.
. He revealed that the team will mostly remain but roles may change depending on suitability. Regarding whether advisory team changes are needed amid some public discussion, he said they must discuss internally. Everyone involved does not seek positions or power; adjustments will be made to assign roles appropriately, including deputy governors. He believes everyone agrees since no one desires power or clings to positions.
On corruption and transparency, these remain top priorities. He has always emphasized strengthening these to build public trust. When foreign journalists asked if his son Saendee had any message, Saendee expressed love and congratulated his father on the second term.
Mr. Chadchart emphasized he is not overly excited because he knows the next four years will not be easy. The achievements of the past four years set the minimum standard expected by the public, so the next four years must exceed previous efforts. This is not easy because the public has entrusted him greatly, so he must reciprocate by working harder. Therefore, “work, work, work” is the motto. He plans to use technology to achieve more with less effort, similar to the campaign approach. Managing Bangkok requires careful planning to maximize benefits while minimizing resource use.
Regarding attacks about the 'Ah Kong system,' Mr. Chadchart said, “There is no Ah Kong system. The public has shown they do not prioritize such a system. I confirm it does not exist. If people still have doubts, we must clarify this clearly. It is a rhetoric created by others, and we have never had such a system. In the future, we must be transparent. Any public concerns must be addressed, but I confirm there is no such system.”
When asked what he would say to those who did not vote for him, Mr. Chadchart responded that he must serve everyone equally because all are citizens of Bangkok, not just his supporters. He has always said this. For those who did not choose him, if they can analyze reasons for dissatisfaction or areas needing improvement, they will seek to understand which age groups or districts feel underserved. This is not to seek votes but to better address all citizens, including supporters.
Regarding the Bangkok council election results, Mr. Chadchart said the council and governor are separate. Thus, the governor rarely has a majority in the council. Even if he were not governor this time, no party would hold a majority. The principle is that the governor must work with all council members because they are elected by the people. Diversity is positive for oversight. The governor must serve all districts equally because every council vote matters. This is the essence of local elections. There is no need for a governor majority because checks and balances are necessary. Over the past four years, he has been thoroughly scrutinized but had no problems and is willing to work with all council members.
During this time, it was announced that he had surpassed one million votes. Mr. Chadchart thanked everyone, noting that this election was exciting with a unique campaign. He asked for applause for the Chadchart team for their creativity and courage. He said if his team dares to think, he dares to act. The 24-hour campaign was a communication method covering all 50 districts in one day, which was incredible and fun. However, next time campaigning will not be allowed since governors can only serve two terms.
Regarding speculation about becoming prime minister, Mr. Chadchart said he does not want to be prime minister and wants only to be governor first. When reporters asked him to do his signature leap pose from the campaign, he did so and then called the Chadchart team onto the stage to raise their hands for a group photo.