Prayut has tacitly helped Aswin in race for Bangkok governor: Ex-Deputy PM

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

PRIME MINISTER PRAYUT Chan-o-cha has evidently tried to help former Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang, albeit in tacit fashion, with the latter’s electoral campaign for the capital city’s top post, alleged a former deputy premier today (Apr.1).

During an informal visit to a food market near Government House last Tuesday, Prayut made comments which tacitly suggested without naming names that the Bangkokians vote for Aswin who has joined ranks of several prominent figures running for Bangkok governor after he has already assumed the post over the past five years, according to Plodprasop Suratsavadee’s posting on his Facebook page.

In 2016, Aswin was handpicked by the powerful junta under leadership of the army chief-turned-premier as an unelected Bangkok governor.

Plodprasop charged that Prayut beat around the bush only to advise Bangkokians pick a “doer” and not a “talker” for their governor so that he could continue to work on the city’s projects and schemes the way he had earlier implemented or mapped them out.

But the former deputy premier contended that such suggestions made by Prayut were evidently unsolicited, partial and misleading and called on the premier to leave it all to the Bangkokians to decide for themselves.

Running for Bangkok governor for which an election is scheduled for May 22 are, among others, former transport minister Chadchart Sittipunt, former deputy Bangkok governor Sakoltee Pattiyakul, former senator Rosana Tositrakul, former King Mongkut Institute of Technology Ladprabang rector Suchatvee Suwansawat who is contesting under the tickets of Democrat Party, former MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn of Move Forward Party, former MP Sita Tiwari of Thai Sang Thai Party and Aswin who is apparently contesting as a non-partisan candidate.

Deputy Prime Minister/Palang Pracharath Party leader Prawit Wongsuwan earlier commented that the largest coalition partner is not lending support for any individuals running for Bangkok governor during the run up to the May 22 election which coincides with the date on which the Prayut-headed junta staged the coup to depose an elected Yingluck Shinawatra government in 2014.

However, Palang Pracharath Party has sent candidates running for Bangkok Metropolitan councillor in all 50 districts of the capital.

CAPTIONS:

Top: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and former Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang. 

Home Page: Bangkok governor election graphic image. Both photos: Matichon

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