Bangkok Governor Chadchart Faces 'Curse' of Second Term

In the Bangkok gubernatorial election, Chadchart Sittipunt secured an overwhelming victory, reflecting his high approval ratings accumulated over the past four years. He becomes the fourth governor in Bangkok's history to serve a second term. However, behind this achievement lies the 'curse' of second-term governors historically failing to complete their mandates. The previous three governors who served two terms—Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, Ap-irak Kosayodhin, and M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra—all resigned before their terms ended due to political issues or scandals. Chamlong stepped down in 1992 to enter national politics with the Palang Dharma Party. Ap-irak resigned just two months after his second election win in 2008, following an accusation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) regarding a corruption case in the procurement of fire engines and boats, which caused damage to the state. Although the law at the time did not require him to step down, Ap-irak stated he wanted to set a new standard for Thai politics and was later cleared of the charges in court. M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra won his first term in 2009 after Ap-irak's resignation, continuing the work with support from the Democrat Party. He secured his second term in 2013, narrowly defeating his opponent from the Pheu Thai Party with the slogan 'If you don't choose us, they will surely come.' However, in August 2016, then-head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, used Article 44 of the interim constitution to temporarily suspend M.R. Sukhumbhand from his duties pending an investigation into corruption complaints. In October of the same year, an order was issued for his removal from the position of Bangkok Governor. Whether the political 'curse' of the second term for Bangkok governors will truly exist remains uncertain. However, the events that have transpired all have their own reasons and differing factors. The first element influencing a governor's tenure is the rising public expectation. If long-standing issues cannot be resolved, it can lead to immense pressure, potentially forcing difficult decisions. Another factor contributing to the short tenure of second-term governors is interference from national politics. The position of governor for the capital city often becomes a political target, affected by national political conflicts, which can sometimes lead to pressure for power shifts or the use of legal mechanisms. The final aspect involves alliances and support bases. Serving longer in office can lead to accumulated conflicts with interest groups or opposing factions, resulting in intensified scrutiny and subsequent changes. Chadchart stated during his victory announcement that he felt the weight of the people's high expectations. He acknowledged that the achievements of the past four years represent the minimum standard and that performance must now exceed this. He reiterated his commitment with the key phrase 'work, work, work' to repay the trust placed in him and address the people's needs. Therefore, Chadchart's second term as Bangkok Governor is of great interest. The election results demonstrate his popularity and the confidence people have in him as the hope for Bangkok residents. Concurrently, during the campaign, he faced various attacks and discrediting efforts, and several matters were submitted for review by independent organizations. This makes the future of Chadchart's second term as governor a subject of close observation: will he repeat the historical curse, or will he be the first to break it? Source: INN News