Chadchart shows off two new recuits

Bangkok governor-elect Chadchart Sittipunt on Friday revealed two members of the team who will help him administer the capital city.

Mr Chadchart took former deputy governor Jakkapan Phiewngam and Pimuk Simaroj with him on a field trip to study problems in the Wong Sawang area of Bang Sue district. Mr Pimuk is chairman of the executive board of Susco Plc, a fuel distributor and petrol station operator, according to the company’s website.

The new governor did not mention what positions they would hold in his administration and said he would formally introduce them and other members of his team after the Election Commission endorses his victory.

Mr Chadchart is Bangkok’s most popular governor ever in terms of votes.

He received almost 1.4 million, the highest total won by a candidate for the governorship.

Mr Jakkapan was a deputy governor under former governor Aswin Kwanmuang.

He resigned in 2019 amid speculation that he did not want to be involved in alleged irregularities in City Hall’s garbage incinerator projects, worth 13 billion baht, at the On Nut and Nong Khaem waste disposal centres.

Pol Gen Aswin denied the resignation was in connection with the controversial issue.

Mr Jakkapan said he was attracted to the new governor’s political independence and determination to make the capital a better place to live.

The Pheu Thai Party and the Move Forward Party (MFP) which won a combined 34 of 50 Bangkok councillor seats in the May 22 local election, on Friday announced a pact to promote transparency in City Hall.

Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chanthararuangthong and MFP secretary-general Thawatchai Tulathon told assembled media that they would push for the formation of a committee to scrutinise allegations of graft involving City Hall.

Out of 50 seats, the Pheu Thai Party won 20 while the MFP grabbed 14. The Democrat Party bagged nine seats while the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) managed to get only two.

The remaining seats were shared between the Thai Sang Thai Party and Rak Krung Thep group.

Wicharn Meenchainan, head of the Pheu Thai campaign, said the party expects to assume chairmanship of the Bangkok city council but it has yet to decide who will vie for the post.